EP0907136A1 - Video gaming system with fixed pool of winning plays and global pool access - Google Patents

Video gaming system with fixed pool of winning plays and global pool access Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP0907136A1
EP0907136A1 EP98203851A EP98203851A EP0907136A1 EP 0907136 A1 EP0907136 A1 EP 0907136A1 EP 98203851 A EP98203851 A EP 98203851A EP 98203851 A EP98203851 A EP 98203851A EP 0907136 A1 EP0907136 A1 EP 0907136A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
game
master processing
processing unit
plays
slave
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP98203851A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0907136B1 (en
Inventor
designation of the inventor has not yet been filed The
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
OASIS TECHNOLOGIES Inc
Original Assignee
OASIS TECHNOLOGIES Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Family has litigation
First worldwide family litigation filed litigation Critical https://patents.darts-ip.com/?family=25534106&utm_source=google_patent&utm_medium=platform_link&utm_campaign=public_patent_search&patent=EP0907136(A1) "Global patent litigation dataset” by Darts-ip is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Application filed by OASIS TECHNOLOGIES Inc filed Critical OASIS TECHNOLOGIES Inc
Publication of EP0907136A1 publication Critical patent/EP0907136A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0907136B1 publication Critical patent/EP0907136B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • GPHYSICS
    • G07CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07FCOIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F17/00Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services
    • G07F17/32Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services for games, toys, sports, or amusements
    • A63F13/12
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63FCARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • A63F13/00Video games, i.e. games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions
    • A63F13/30Interconnection arrangements between game servers and game devices; Interconnection arrangements between game devices; Interconnection arrangements between game servers
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63FCARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • A63F3/00Board games; Raffle games
    • A63F3/08Raffle games that can be played by a fairly large number of people
    • A63F3/081Raffle games that can be played by a fairly large number of people electric
    • GPHYSICS
    • G07CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07FCOIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F17/00Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services
    • G07F17/32Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services for games, toys, sports, or amusements
    • G07F17/3202Hardware aspects of a gaming system, e.g. components, construction, architecture thereof
    • G07F17/3223Architectural aspects of a gaming system, e.g. internal configuration, master/slave, wireless communication
    • GPHYSICS
    • G07CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07FCOIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F17/00Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services
    • G07F17/32Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services for games, toys, sports, or amusements
    • G07F17/3225Data transfer within a gaming system, e.g. data sent between gaming machines and users
    • G07F17/3232Data transfer within a gaming system, e.g. data sent between gaming machines and users wherein the operator is informed
    • G07F17/3237Data transfer within a gaming system, e.g. data sent between gaming machines and users wherein the operator is informed about the players, e.g. profiling, responsible gaming, strategy/behavior of players, location of players
    • G07F17/3239Tracking of individual players
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63FCARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • A63F3/00Board games; Raffle games
    • A63F3/08Raffle games that can be played by a fairly large number of people
    • A63F3/081Raffle games that can be played by a fairly large number of people electric
    • A63F2003/082Raffle games that can be played by a fairly large number of people electric with remote participants
    • A63F2003/086Raffle games that can be played by a fairly large number of people electric with remote participants played via telephone, e.g. using a modem

Definitions

  • This invention relates to video lottery games and other video games of chance, and in particular, to a video gaming system providing games including a fixed pool of game plays and a predetermined number of winning plays within each pool.
  • Lottery games where a player purchases a printed ticket and gambles on winning a prize or sum of money are known in the art. Lottery games of this type, however, generally require little or no skill on the part of the player to play the game. At most, some minimal physical act may be required of the player to reveal a preordained outcome included on the ticket. The outcome of the ticket has likely been determined in advance of the purchase, usually at the time the tickets are printed. In these games, a player can determine immediately whether the ticket was a winning ticket by simply examining the face of the ticket.
  • Video games of chance such as video poker or video black jack
  • video games are examples of such video gambling machines. These video games are very accessible and can be installed in bingo parlors or gambling halls so that many players can play at one time.
  • a master processing unit that includes a memory device.
  • the memory device is employed to store a fixed pool of game plays, where each fixed pool of plays includes a predetermined number of winning plays.
  • Coupled to the master processing unit are a plurality of slave terminals that communicate with the master processing unit.
  • Each slave terminal also is equipped with a player-controlled selection device employed to request game plays from the fixed pool of game plays stored at the master processing unit. Play of the games progresses as each player purchases game plays through the slave terminals from the whole pool of game plays stored at the master processing unit until the fixed pool of game plays is exhausted.
  • a central game processor is also provided, which generates and supplies the fixed pools of game plays to the master processing unit.
  • the central game processor is coupled to the master processing unit through a communication interface.
  • a plurality of master processing units are provided. Each master processing unit is coupled to the central game processor, and each master processing unit communicates with a plurality of slave terminals coupled to that master processing unit.
  • each player purchases a video lottery play from a fixed pool of such plays.
  • each game play has a predetermined chance of winning.
  • the video lottery system has the advantage of continuously updating each player on the chances of purchasing one of the remaining winning plays in the pool.
  • Use of computers and video terminals also affords on-line competition among the many players that can simultaneously play the lottery games at the same or remote locations.
  • many players are capable of simultaneously competing against each other for a predetermined number of winning plays provided in a fixed pool of lottery game plays. Such competition urges players to race in order to purchase the remaining winning plays within each fixed pool of plays before none remain.
  • An element of strategy and skill is thus introduced since a player may decide to wait for the odds of purchasing a winning play to increase by allowing other competitors to purchase some of the remaining non-winning plays, thereby increasing the odds of purchasing a winning play at a later time. Displaying on a continuous basis the number of remaining plays and the number of winning plays already redeemed allows each player to assess the risk in purchasing another play or whether to cease playing until a new game is initiated.
  • FIG. 1 shows a gaming system made according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, generally designated at 10.
  • the gaming system 10 includes a central game processor 12, which controls and administers operation of the gaming system 10.
  • a central game processor 12 Preferably, remotely located from the central game processor 12 are multiple master processing units 14.
  • the master processing units 14 are connected to the central game processor 12 employing a telephone link.
  • up to sixteen telephone lines 18 are used to connect between modems 22 provided with each master processing unit 14 and the multiple-line modems 24 provided in the central game processor 12.
  • a plurality of slave terminals 16 are in turn connected to each master processing unit 14. According to the preferred embodiment, up to twenty slave terminals 16 can be configured to each master processing unit 14. In this embodiment, the slave terminals 16 are interconnected through a local area network (LAN) 20. The local area network 20 also couples the slave terminals 16 to their respective master processing unit 14.
  • LAN local area network
  • the combination of components provided in the gaming system 10 comprises an integrated computer system capable of operating an electronic lottery/gambling system or other similar games.
  • Each component of the gaming system 10 provides a specific function necessary to operation of the gaming system 10 as a whole. However, these functions can be further distributed or combined among other computer architectures.
  • each element of the system 10 also executes one or more computer programs in order to perform their respective tasks.
  • the preferred computer programs addressed below may also take on different forms without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
  • the purpose of the central game processor 12 is two-fold: (1) the central game processor 12 electronically generates each fixed pool of game plays provided on the gaming system 10, and (2) serves as an interface to each master processing unit 14.
  • the central game processor 12 thus acts as a repository for, and coordinates the production of, graphic data and game play information.
  • the central game processor 12 supplies, or downloads, the fixed pools of game plays to each master processing unit 14, and also performs periodic audit and security checks of the master processing units 14.
  • Each master processing unit 14 also contributes a unique function to the gaming system 10.
  • the purpose of the master processing units 14 is primarily to manage the game plays being requested at the slave terminals 16.
  • the master processing units 14 administer the games as they are being played at the slave terminals 16.
  • the master processing units 14 provide audit information about each of the slave terminals 16 to the central game processor 12.
  • the master processing units 14 also handle the summation and termination of each player's game play by calculating each player's winnings and providing the player with a receipt.
  • the slave terminals 16 provide the player interface to the gaming system 10.
  • the purpose of each slave terminal 16, therefore, is to handle and process game play requests from each player.
  • Each slave terminal 16 keeps track of each player's winnings and serves as a repository for each player's wagers.
  • each slave terminal 16 detects if the game play currently requested by a player constitutes a winning play, and if so, displays to the player the amount won.
  • One objective of the presently preferred gaming system 10 is to simulate, through a video game embodiment, the action and play of a paper pull-tab lottery game.
  • the gaming system 10 is also capable of supplying a variety of other games including more sophisticated games. Examples of such games include poker, slot machines, progressive games, Pai Gow, black jack, keno, bingo, crops, roulette and Red Dog.
  • each player is capable of participating and simultaneously playing the games provided by the gaming system 10.
  • Each player participates by purchasing plays through a respective slave terminal 16.
  • Each master processing unit 14 maintains a fixed pool of game plays supplied from the central game processor 12 to be transmitted to the slave terminals 16.
  • each player has access to and can purchase plays from the entire fixed pool of game plays stored at each master processing unit 14.
  • a player-controlled selection device e.g., pushbuttons or the like
  • a player can request and purchase game plays and gamble on purchasing a winning play.
  • Each player's activities therefore, bear a direct result on the outcome of purchasing subsequent plays from the fixed pool of game plays stored at the master processing units 14.
  • each game retain the play and feel of the paper pull-tab lottery games.
  • each player is continuously alerted regarding how many plays remain in each fixed pool.
  • the number of plays remaining need not be displayed as a numeric count per se, but may appear visually as a graphic representation.
  • between 1200 and 4800 plays are included in each fixed pool of game plays.
  • the gaming system 10 has the ability to handle "lotto" type games including a million plays or more.
  • each master processing unit 14 can dispense up to twelve or more games simultaneously, and each slave terminal 16 is continuously informed as to the amount of plays remaining in each fixed pool of plays.
  • each slave terminal 16 will display to the player the various events happening within the hall. Announcements regarding closing of the hall, or that another player has won, enhances the feeling that each player is competing against a group of players and not just against the machine itself.
  • the video pull-tab lottery games administered by the gaming system 10 preferably have the following characteristics.
  • a video representation of a pull-tab ticket is provided on the slave terminals 16 showing which combinations of symbols comprise a winning play.
  • This video "ticket" comprises one of the fixed pool of plays provided by the central game processor 12 for each pull-tab game.
  • the gaming system 10 also displays the video ticket both before and after it has been opened. Such display illustrates the appropriate graphic symbols that indicate either a winning or losing play.
  • a mechanism that allows each player to manage his betting while the game is being played is also provided. Features of this mechanism include facilities for crediting, debiting, depositing and withdrawing wagers as required by each player during play of the game.
  • the central game processor 12 includes a program for generating the fixed pools of game plays for each game supplied in the gaming system 10.
  • each fixed pool of game plays includes a predetermined number of winning plays. This predetermined number of winning plays is fixed at the generation of each pool of game plays.
  • Software provided on the slave terminals 16 continuously indicates to each player the number of winning plays already purchased from each fixed pool and thus provides an indication of the chances of purchasing a subsequent winning play.
  • Software is also provided to configure and operate the components of the gaming system 10 to perform their intended functions. The specific functions performed by each of the components of the gaming system 10 is described in more detail below.
  • the central game processor 12 comprises a central computer 30.
  • the central computer 30 can be an IBM Personal Computer-AT (or the equivalent), including an 80386 (or 80486) microprocessor 32 manufactured by Intel Corp., Santa Clara, California, which preferably operates at a thirty-three megahertz clock speed.
  • a hard disk drive 34 and random access memory (RAM) 36 Further provided on the central computer 30 is a hard disk drive 34 and random access memory (RAM) 36.
  • RAM random access memory
  • preferred sizes for these memory devices range from 80- to 100-megabytes for the hard disk- drive 34 and four megabytes for the RAM 36.
  • the central computer 30 also includes a plurality of modems 24, or a multi-channel communication card (not shown). To achieve the necessary data throughput, the modem 24 preferably operates at 2400-baud or higher. To complete the architecture of the central game processor 12, the central computer 30 also includes a video monitor 40 and an associated video graphics adapter (VGA) card 42, a keyboard 44, and a printer 46.
  • VGA video graphics adapter
  • the central game processor 12 operates as the central or coordinating computer for the overall gaming system 10.
  • One function of the central game processor 12 is to issue new fixed pools of game plays and new games to each master processing unit 14 as they are needed.
  • the central game processor 12 thus keeps an adequate inventory of the games currently being offered, and ensures that the system itself is operating properly.
  • a prime function of the central game processor 12, therefore, is to communicate with each master processing unit 14 and to supply each master processing unit 14 with more pools or more games.
  • new pools of game plays are entered by operators at the central game processor 12. Operators simply key in data from preexisting paper pull-tab lottery tickets into the central computer 30.
  • software running on the central computer 30 converts the raw symbol and deal data entered by the operators into several files to be used in the gaming system 10. For example, one of such software programs examines the data entered for each paper ticket and searches for winning symbol combinations. Winning combinations are identified by the central computer 30, which stores temporarily the amount won for that combination. When all combinations and directions (horizontally, vertically and diagonally) have been scanned and scored, the final amount won is appended to the ticket data (described in detail below) and stored in the central computer 30. As is the case with most tickets, if no winning combinations are detected, the amount won will be zero and stored as such with the ticket data. When all tickets have been entered and scanned by the central computer 30, the pool of tickets is stored for subsequent transfer upon request from the master processing units 14.
  • the central game processor 12 should preferably receive and log update requests from each master processing unit 14. Conversely, the central game processor 12 is able to poll each master processing unit 14 to request status about the specific local area network 20 configuration and the individual status of each slave terminal 16 connected thereto. The central game processor 12 thus becomes both the logical and physical link between all of the master processing units 14. A detailed description of the communication protocol between the master game processors 14 and the respective slave terminals 16 is provided below in connection with FIG. 18.
  • the central game processor 12 comprises a personal computer or minicomputer.
  • the functions described above, as well as additional functions, are thus contained in software programs that execute on the central game processor 12.
  • software enables the central game processor 12 to transmit codes in order to communicate with each master processing unit 14. These codes communicate instructions to the master processing units 14 to cause information stored in the master processing unit 14 to be transmitted to the central game processor 12.
  • the software also enables the transmission of new game designs from the central game processor 12 to each master processing unit 14. Further, software is provided to poll each master processing unit 14 in order to determine gaming patterns and trends.
  • FIG. 3 A graphical depiction of the software architecture for the central game processor 12 is shown in FIG. 3. Both foreground 50 and background 52 tasks are performed by the software operating on the central computer 30.
  • Foreground tasks 50 handle a menu-driven operator interface, which receives input from the system administrator sitting at the video monitor 40 and keyboard 44.
  • Executing in the background is a routine for handling incoming calls from the master processing units 14. Each call comes into the central computer 30 over a series of telephone lines 18 and is received by the plurality of modems 24 included in the central game processor 12. After the incoming call is processed by the communications software 54, the central game processor 12 must determine how to respond to the call.
  • FIG. 4 is a state machine included in the central computer 30 that handles the incoming calls.
  • each master processing unit 14 includes a master computer 70.
  • the master computer 70 is preferably an IBM Personal Computer-AT type computer, including an 80386 microprocessor 72 manufactured by Intel Corp., Santa Clara, California, and operated at a clock speed of thirty-three megahertz.
  • the master computer 70 also includes a hard disk memory 74 and on-board RAM 76. To satisfy the software needs of the master processing units 14, the hard disk memory 74 should be at least 80-megabytes and the on-board RAM 76 should include between two and four megabytes of addressable space.
  • the master computer 70 Further provided on the master computer 70 is a 2400- to 9600-baud modem 22 for communication with the central game processor 12, and a LAN interface 80 for communication with the plurality of slave terminals 16 coupled to the master processing units 14.
  • the LAN interface 80 on the master processing unit 14 is thus similar to that provided in each slave terminal 16 (described below).
  • a video monitor 82 and associated video graphics adapter card 84 are also included in the master computer 70, as is a keyboard 86.
  • the master computer 70 may also include an optional printer 88.
  • Each master processing unit 14 has two primary responsibilities: (1) to perform certain requests initiated from the central game processor 12, and (2) to maintain continuous communication with each slave terminal 16. As part of its first task, each master processing unit 14 responds to requests initiated by the central game processor 12. In the preferred embodiment, each master processing unit 14 stores at least one fixed pool of game plays received from the central game processor 12. Each master processing unit 14 further includes passwords for four levels of access to the master processing units 14. These passwords are distributed to the various levels of master administrators operating each master processing unit 14. One password is preferably employed to start the game, and at least one other password is required to change or display any network parameters.
  • each master processing unit 14 is prepared to respond to requests from the slave terminals 16 configured on its local area network 20 (FIG. 1).
  • a primary function of the master processing units 14 is to download game plays requested from the slave terminals 16 from the fixed pool of game plays stored in the master processing unit 14.
  • Each master processing unit 14 can also request the status of each slave terminal 16, generate and send a validation code to any slave terminal 16, and broadcast messages to all slave terminals 16 connected to its local area network 20.
  • the master processing unit 14 also has the ability to view network activity in order to determine the status of a particular game being played at the various slave terminals 16.
  • the master processing unit 14 displays to a master administrator (bingo hall or gambling operator) an inventory report of the games currently offered on the gaming system 10.
  • the master processing unit 14 also displays the status of its network, i.e., the status of each slave terminal 16 connected to the master processing unit 14, and provides an audit report regarding each particular slave terminal 16.
  • the master processing unit 14 also displays the status of each pool, which includes an indication of the amount of plays remaining.
  • a list is also provided of game options, which are selectable at each master processing unit 14 by the master administrator.
  • the main duty of the master processing unit 14 is to poll the slave terminals 16, one-by-one, to provide their status.
  • the collection of status information is done such that each player will not notice a delay in response time from his or her slave terminal 16.
  • the status of each slave terminal 16 may be one of five states: (1) enabled, (2) disabled, (3) out of service, (4) not responding, and (5) operational.
  • Each master processing unit 14 also includes facilities to shut down its local area network 20 in an orderly fashion, and then power down its branch of the gaming system 10. Thus, each master processing unit 14 of the gaming system 10 configures its local area network 20 on a case-by-case basis.
  • FIG. 6 A graphical depiction of the software architecture for the master processing units 14 is provided in FIG. 6.
  • Each master processing unit 14 preferably performs internal diagnostics upon power-up. After the diagnostics are completed, a password or log-on code is required from the master administrator to start the games, as described above. After the proper log-on has been initiated, the display appearing at each master processing unit 14 continuously shows the status of each slave terminal 16 connected to its local area network 20.
  • foreground 60 and background 62 processing is performed at the master processing units 14.
  • a menu-driven user interface is provided to handle communication to and from the master administrator.
  • Information received from the master administrator is communicated from an operator display 66 and handled by the foreground processing routines.
  • Background processing 62 on the master processing unit 14 handles messages received from the slave terminals 16. Information from the slave terminals 16 is received by the master processing unit 14 over its local area network 20. Similarly, game plays from the fixed pool of game plays stored in a database 64 located on the master processing unit 14 are communicated over the local area network 20 to the slave terminals 16. A flow chart of the background processing 62 performed on the master processing unit 14 appears in FIG. 7.
  • the background loop normally reads and displays the time of day until a command (ticket validation, audit, etc.) or response is received from a slave terminal 16. If a command or response has taken place, the master processing unit 14 must determine how to react. As shown at steps 92, 93, if a specific command is pending at the master processing unit 14, the command is sent to the requesting slave terminal 16 over the local area network 20. If not, the master processing unit 14 may poll the slave terminal for its status at step 94.
  • the master processing unit 14 determines at steps 97, 98 whether the slave terminal 16 has responded appropriately. If so, the master processing unit 14 processes the response at step 95. After completion of these tasks, the background routine relinquishes control of the master processor at step 96.
  • a second or third password may be required as explained above.
  • Examples of the remaining features provided by the master processing units 14 include selection of game options, record keeping and audit-oriented tasks. A detailed description of these functions is provided in more detail below.
  • FIG. 8 is a block diagram of one preferred embodiment of a slave terminal 16.
  • the slave computer 100 can be in one preferred embodiment an IBM Personal Computer, or a minicomputer or personal computer of similar function.
  • the slave computer 100 thus preferably includes a microprocessor 106 and a video graphics adaptor 108, which connects to a color monitor 110.
  • the slave computer microprocessor 106 is an 80286 (or 80386) microprocessor manufactured by Intel Corp., Santa Clara, California, which preferably operates at a twenty megahertz clock speed.
  • the slave computer 100 includes a LAN interface 102 for communication to the master processing unit 14.
  • the LAN interface 102 couples to a LAN connector 104 provided on the slave terminal 16, which ties each slave terminal 16 to its respective local area network 20 (FIG. 1).
  • the LAN connector 104 preferably comprises a BNC T-type connector for configuration to the local area network 20.
  • the LAN interface 102 uses interrupts "IRQ3" or "IRQ15" to communicate with the microprocessor 106, and preferably is ROM-base selectable.
  • a programmable read only memory (PROM) used to boot start the slave terminal 16 is also included in the LAN interface 102.
  • PROM programmable read only memory
  • each color monitor 110 included in each slave terminal 16 is an essential element to the player interface of the gaming system 10.
  • each color monitor 110 displays the video version of the paper pull-tab lottery ticket that comprises a preferred game play in the gaming system 10.
  • the color monitor 110 produces a 640 x 480 x 256 non-interlaced display.
  • the video graphics adaptor 108 consequently provides the same 640 x 480 x 256 non-interlaced display, and is preferably capable of displaying up to 256 colors simultaneously.
  • the video graphics adaptor 108 also includes approximately one megabyte of on-board memory (not shown) to achieve the displays contemplated for use in the preferred gaming system 10.
  • the memory provides storage for video graphics software drivers and other video graphics processing elements.
  • the Bios type employed in the slave terminals 16 may be any of the commercially available Bios types, so long as a keyboard (not shown) provided on the slave terminal 16 can be disabled through software.
  • the slave computer 100 should also preferably include at least 512-kilobytes of random access memory to accomplish its many tasks in a reasonable time.
  • a general purpose input/output (I/O) interface adapter 116 is also coupled to the microprocessor 106.
  • the general purpose I/O interface adapter 116 preferably resides at memory address D800H.
  • the general purpose I/O interface adapter 116 comprises a custom printed circuit board, which is described in greater detail below in connection with FIGS. 10-13.
  • the general purpose I/O interface adapter 116 connects to a speaker 120 located on the exterior of the slave terminal cabinet 115.
  • the speaker 120 projects the various sounds used during the play of the games on the gaming system 10. These sounds are stored and generated by a sound generator chip located in the general purpose I/O interface adapter 116 (described below).
  • Connected to the general purpose I/O interface adaptor 116 is a battery backed RAM 118.
  • a door 122 is also provided in the slave computer cabinet 115 to allow operator or service access to the general purpose I/O interface adaptor 116.
  • Configured to the general purpose I/O interface adaptor 116 are the necessary electro-mechanical devices required to implement the gaming system 10 of the invention.
  • these elements include a wager accepter, preferably in the form of a bill accepter 124 and a coin acceptor 126, a plurality of player-controlled selection devices in the form of pushbuttons 128, and indicator lights 130.
  • the front switch panel of the slave terminal 16 may include as many as ten such player controlled pushbuttons 128.
  • the bill acceptor 124 located on the slave terminal 16 is preferably capable of accepting denominations from $1 to $20.
  • Also provided in the slave terminal 16, are five 16-bit expansion slots (not shown) for future expansion or customization, a hopper 132 to retain wagers and at least four digital meters 134 to display scores, etc.
  • Each slave terminal 16 also preferably provides a validation ticket to the players after the player is through playing.
  • the slave computer 100 also includes a printer 112 to provide a hard copy printout of its status. The interface between the microprocessor 106 and the printer 112 is accomplished through a printer interface card 114 as shown in FIG. 8.
  • FIGS. 9A-9I a flow chart of the functions performed by the slave terminal 16 is provided.
  • the functions identified in FIGS. 9A-9I are preferably implemented through software residing at the slave terminals 16.
  • execution begins and all variables are initialized.
  • the program checks for a power failure, and if power has failed, at step 216 corrective action is taken and flow proceeds at step 218 to pick up where execution left off (see FIG. 9B below).
  • the program determines if player credits are available from either wager deposits or a player's winnings. If there are no credits available, then the particular slave terminal 16 is not being used and the slave terminal 16 is idle. While not in use, the slave terminal 16 executes a demonstration loop at steps 220, 222 and displays an "attract" screen (discussed below).
  • the program checks for any communication sent from the master processing unit 14.
  • step 224 the program proceeds with play of the game.
  • step 226, a "select value" screen is displayed and at step 228 the program waits for player entry. While waiting, the program again checks at step 230 for communications from the master processing unit 14. Player entry can come in the form of any of the player controlled pushbuttons 128 provided on the slave terminal cabinet 115 (FIG. 8).
  • a preferred set of pushbuttons 128 is illustrated in FIG. 9A, which correspond to wager denomination pushbuttons 234, 236, 238 (Group 1) or play action buttons 242-250 (Group 2).
  • the program first determines whether enough player credits are available at step 254. If not, the program branches back at step 256 to wait for correct player input. If enough credits are available to the player, at step 258 the program initiates a ticket request to the master processing unit 14. Upon receipt of the ticket data from the master processing unit 14, the player's credits are decremented to reflect the wager amount at step 260 and the data received from the master processing unit 14 is loaded into the RAM 118 on the slave terminal 16 (FIG. 8). At step 264, the program displays an unopened video ticket and waits for new player input at step 266.
  • FIG. 9C illustrates the flow of communication between the slave terminals 16 and the master processing unit 14.
  • the slave terminal periodically checks to determine if there is a command pending from the master processing unit (step 268). If not, program flow returns to the main slave routine at step 270. If a command is pending from the master processing unit 14, a response is required by the slave terminal 16.
  • a variety of slave terminal responses 272 are available for the various commands sent by the master processing units 14 (described below).
  • FIG. 9D illustrates program flow upon selection of one of the wager denomination (Group 1) pushbuttons 234, 236, 238.
  • the wagered amount is set, and at steps 276, 278 the program awaits selection of one of the play action (Group 2) pushbuttons 242-250.
  • the program determines if the player has any credits to redeem (step 278). If not, at step 280 the program returns to wait for valid input. If credits are available to be redeemed, at step 282 the program requests a validation number from the master processing unit 14. Upon receipt of the validation number, at step 284 a validation ticket is printed and at step 286 the player's credits are cleared. The program then returns to the demonstration mode at step 288.
  • the player may select the Cancel pushbutton. If so, and if a ticket face is being displayed at step 290, the program branches to again display the "select value" screen at step 292. If not, at step 294 the program returns to the main program flow.
  • Step 296 the appropriate tab or tabs are opened and the "underlying" ticket symbols are displayed.
  • the program determines if all tabs are open at step 298. If not, at step 230 the program branches back for more player input (i.e., open the next tab). If all tabs are open, the player credits are incremented at step 302 if a winning ticket was selected. If a winning ticket has been purchased, at step 304 a congratulatory display is also presented. The program then returns at step 306 to await new player input.
  • step 308 of Fig. 9H the program displays the face of the next available ticket in the fixed pool of game plays.
  • the program waits for new player input.
  • a wager subroutine is illustrated.
  • an interrupt is generated to the microprocessor 106 (FIG. 8) and at step 314 the player's credits are increased according to the wager amount deposited by the player into the slave terminal 16.
  • the program then returns to the main program flow of FIG. 9A.
  • FIGS. 10-13 detailed schematic diagrams of the general purpose I/O interface adapter 116 are provided.
  • a plurality of programmable array logic devices (PAL's) 140 are employed throughout the general purpose I/O interface adapter 116.
  • the PAL's 140 comprise much of the interconnect circuitry and help reduce the chip count on this printed circuit board.
  • the PAL's 140 are programmed using the TANGO-PLD (Version 1.11) PAL assembler. Copies of the programming equations for the PAL's 140 employed in the general purpose I/O interface adapter 116 are provided in the Appendix.
  • a plurality of buffers/drivers 142 are provided throughout the circuitry shown in FIGS. 10-13. These buffers/drivers 142 help boost, latch and clock signals as they propagate through the general purpose I/O interface adapter 116. As shown in FIG. 11, a RAM 144 is also provided in the general purpose I/O interface adapter 116. In preferred embodiment, the RAM 144 is 32 kilobytes in size.
  • a sound generator integrated circuit (IC) 146 is included in the general purpose I/O interface adapter 116.
  • the sound generator IC 146 produces and stores the sounds projected from the speaker 120 (FIG. 8) employed with the gaming system 10. As those skilled in the art will appreciate, such sounds can take on many different forms depending on the games being played on the gaming system 10 and personal tastes.
  • a number of Darlington Drive current boosters 148 are also provided in the general purpose I/O interface adaptor 116.
  • the Darlington current boosters 148 are used in the preferred embodiment to drive the indicator lights 130, the bill accepter 124, coin accepter 126 and the digital meters 134 appearing on the slave terminal 16 (see FIG. 8).
  • FIGS. 10-13 many integrated circuits are employed to perform various functions in the general purpose I/O interface adapter 116. To meet the preferred response times for the gaming system 10, therefore, these integrated circuits should possess no more than an 80- or 100-nanosecond propagation delay in order to provide a zero-wait state environment for the gaming system 10.
  • the slave terminal 16 operates as follows. Preferably, the slave terminal 16 first runs a set of internal diagnostics each time it is turned on. (As shown in FIG. 8, each slave computer 100 is connected to its own power supply 136.) Since each master processing unit 14 preferably shows a graphic map of its slave network during operation of the gaming system 10, if a slave terminal 16 does not pass its internal diagnostics, the network map will show that slave terminal 16 as "ENABLED” but "NOT RESPONDING". It is the master administrator's task to determine what to do to resolve the slave terminal 16 error, such as placing a call for service to a local distributor or service representative. When the slave terminal 16 passes its internal diagnostics, the master processing unit 14 will show the slave terminal 16 as "ON-LINE".
  • the slave terminal 16 next displays an introductory display on the color monitor 110 to attract attention and players.
  • This attract screen includes demonstration graphics of game operation in a manner known in the art.
  • a field 160 used to broadcast messages received from the master processing units 14.
  • one of the tasks of the master processing units 14 is to broadcast to each slave terminal 16 messages regarding the game pool currently being played on that master processing unit 14.
  • These messages are employed to convey information regarding other players' betting to create an atmosphere of competition over the gaming system 10.
  • An example of these messages include: "Another winning play has been purchased on machine 6!!!”; or "Congratulations to the player on machine 2, who just selected a $250 winning play!!!".
  • these messages are displayed on each slave terminal 16 regardless of whether it is sitting idle or is in the middle of a play.
  • a "CREDITS" field 162 is preferably located in the upper left hand corner of the display appearing on the color monitor 110. An indication of the number of tickets remaining in the pool currently being played is also provided in the upper right hand corner of the display.
  • the CREDITS field 162 is updated. Deposit of the wager also commences play on the gaming system 10.
  • the display changes to show the face of a video ticket 164 (corresponding to the face of a paper pull-tab ticket) on the left hand side of the display screen 165.
  • the slave terminal 16 will electronically request a play from the pool of remaining plays stored at the master processing unit 14.
  • the master processing unit 14 will transmit to the slave terminal 16 a packet of ticket data representing the purchased play.
  • Each play corresponds to a video pull-tab ticket in the preferred embodiment of the invention.
  • the data received is stored on the slave terminal 16 to be interpreted after the player depresses the next appropriate pushbutton.
  • the worst case response time for the slave terminal 16 to receive a play will be approximately 0.83 seconds. However, the average response time is likely to be 0.42 seconds depending on the number of players currently participating.
  • the CREDITS field 162 is decremented to reflect the wager amount.
  • the graphic depiction appearing on the screen of the color monitor 110 is then updated to the configuration shown in FIG. 16.
  • the video ticket 164 appearing on the left hand side of the display screen 165 does not change between FIGS. 15 and 16; however, the box appearing on the right side of the display screen 165 is presented to simulate and display the closed pull-tabs 170 of a paper pull-tab lottery ticket.
  • the player then has the option of sequentially opening the pull-tabs 170 one at a time, or opening all of the pull-tabs 170 at once.
  • the slave terminal 16 will produce a ripping sound as the screen displays the pull-tabs 170 being slowly opened (FIG. 17). As shown in FIG. 17, the pull-tabs 170 will remain open as if they were peeled away from the video ticket 164 appearing on the display screen 165.
  • the slave terminal 16 scans the data received from the master processing unit 14 with each video ticket 164 to determine if the ticket 164 includes any winning combinations. In the preferred embodiment, since all tickets 164 have previously been tabulated and identified by the central game processor 12, the slave terminal 16 simply scans the data received from the master processing unit 14 to detect the presence of a winning combination. Such combination is identified by the central game processor 12 at the time tickets are input into the system (described above) by preferably setting a bit in the video ticket data packet sent to the slave terminal 16. Upon detection of the set bit, the slave terminal knows a winning combination has been purchased.
  • the slave terminal 16 If a winning combination is detected, the slave terminal 16 reads and displays the amount won in the lower portion of the display screen 165 as illustrated in FIG. 17. Any amount won is added to the CREDITS field 162 appearing on the screen. After a short delay, the screen reverts back to the display shown in FIG. 14. This sequence of play, and the associated screen displays, continues until a player exhausts all of his or her credits, or until the player depresses the Cash Out pushbutton 172 (FIG. 14).
  • a validation ticket is printed with a validation number received from the master processing unit 14.
  • the player may then take this validation ticket to a cashier in order to redeem any prizes or money won.
  • the local area network 20 connecting the slave terminals 16 to the master processing unit 14 is an Ethernet network employing the Ethernet 802.3 protocol.
  • each side i.e., each slave terminal 16 or master processing unit 14
  • the recipient must then unlock the record when it is finished. Communication between the slave terminals 16 and the master processing units 14 is thus controlled through software running on each component.
  • a listing of the definitions of the programs used in a preferred embodiment of the gaming system 10 appears below.
  • the files designated are stored in either the central game processor 12, the master processing units 14 or the slave terminals 16 depending upon the file type and its usage.
  • software is provided at the central game processor 12 to convert the raw symbol data entered by the operators into the video ticket data mentioned above.
  • one file, CVTPTI.EXE is employed to convert the raw symbol data into the four game files identified above.
  • Table 1 Set forth in Table 1 is a preferred configuration of an audit record prepared by the master processing unit 14 to be completed for each of the slave terminals 16.
  • the record appearing in Table 1 represents 1 of 20 such sequential records arranged in the file AUDIT.PTG for each slave terminal 16 coupled to the LAN 20.
  • Table 2 Set forth in Table 2 is a sample game file used in the preferred embodiment of the gaming system 10. Each gave file contains the necessary parameters to define each game.
  • the first symbol (Symbol #1) provided in the game file is the symbol that appears in the upper left-hand corner of the video ticket 164 displayed on each color monitor 110 (see FIGS. 15-17).
  • the gaming system 10 also includes headers for each game offered on the system. Each game header is stored in a separate file called GAMHDRxx.PTG, where "xx" represents the game number.
  • the form number and serial number for each game appears at the top of each header file at locations 00H and 01H.
  • the form number for each game is preferably three digits; the unused bit in the file is thus zero-filled. For example, Form #720 would be entered as "07-20".
  • the serial number is handled in the same manner.
  • the four files listed above under the Other Files designation consist of files used for communication between the master processing units 14 and the slave terminals 16.
  • the file CMDRSP.PTG 180 comprises a record of the commands and responses received or transmitted by each slave terminal 16.
  • Each slave terminal 16 reads commands written to this file by the master processing unit 14, and each slave terminal 16 writes its response to this file to be read by the master processing unit 14.
  • the location of this file in the master processing units 14 is identified in FIG. 19 (Command Queues 208).
  • FIG. 19 Common Queues 208
  • the file AUDIT.PTG 182 comprises a record of the status for each slave terminal 16. Slave terminal 16 status is written to the file by each slave terminal 16 on command from the master processing unit 14. The information stored in this file is processed by the master processing units 14 to generate the audit report for the system administrator.
  • both the SYSMSG.PTG 184 file and the GAMHDRxx.PTG 186 file are files employed in a unidirectional manner; data is written to each by the master processing unit 14 to be read by the slave terminal 16.
  • system messages are stored to be broadcast on each slave terminal 16 as defined by the master administrator.
  • Each slave terminal 16 also reads the particular GAMHDRxx.PTG file 186 necessary to configure the slave terminal 16 for the particular game to be played.
  • the master processing unit 14 writes the GAMHDRxx.PTG files 186, one for each game supported, when the game is activated.
  • the Game Map structure 190 consists of three records which relate games in the inventory stored at each master processing unit 14 to currently active games.
  • the Game Configuration data structure 192 also consists of three records that provide detailed information about the active games on the system.
  • the Game Configuration structure 192 thus includes the game name, form number, size, number of rows and columns, symbols, number of tickets remaining in the pool, the shuffled pool itself, and ticket definitions.
  • Data structures are also provided for validation and user identification.
  • Two structures define the Validation Numbers 196 supplied when a player cashes out, as well as the Validation State 198.
  • the Validation Numbers 196 consist of 1000 records comprising the outstanding validation numbers provided to players who have cashed out, as well as the remaining unassigned numbers.
  • the Validation State 198 lists the next sequence number for a validation ticket and a modified julian date.
  • the User file 200 consists of ten records including the names, passwords and access levels of each administrator, as well as unassigned numbers.
  • a data structure also exists for the Time and Date 202.
  • the gaming system 10 includes a file for master processing unit 14 options, the state of each slave terminal 16 and command queues.
  • the Master Option file 204 contains configurable options such as show cards, broadcast winners and shut down information.
  • the Slave State records 206 describe the status of each slave terminal 16 with respect to the command/response cycle.
  • the Command Queue 208 is a storage record for slave terminal commands including audit, shut down, reset and broadcast information, and is used in conjunction with the CMDRSP.PTG file 180 shown in FIG. 18.
  • a menu of commands/options is provided at the master processing units 14. After the gaming system 10 is initialized and the master administrator has completed logging onto the master processing unit 14, a menu routine is executed.
  • the main options available on the menu include validation/administration commands, reporting functions and system service options. Commands displayed on the menu correspond to the programs and data files described above.
  • the game symbols displayed on the back of a video ticket 164 are slightly larger than those displayed on the front of the ticket 164.
  • two sets of symbol definitions are required for each game.
  • a file labeled FORMxxxx.FAC includes the graphics for the ticket face
  • a file labeled FORMxxxx.BAC contains the graphics for the back of the video ticket 164.
  • a third file, FORMxxxx.PAL includes palette definitions.
  • the color monitor 110 displays the number of tickets 164 remaining in each game being played in a field 168 appearing on slave terminal color monitor 110 (FIG. 14). For each play that turns up a winner, therefore, a message in the form "WIN $XXX" appears on each color monitor 110. The game's six digit serial number also appears on the bottom of each display.
  • An editing mechanism is preferably provided to allow up to six messages to be communicated between each master processing unit 14 and the slave terminals 16 as defined in connection with the CMDRSP.PTG file 180.
  • each message is assigned a number from one to six. Further examples of the substance of such messages include: (1) "The facility is going to close”; (2) broadcast information about a winner; (3) "Ticket level low”; (4) a particular game is now closed; and (5) "We are closed . . . Goodnight".
  • the master administrator controls distribution of these messages to each of the slave terminals 16 via the files defined above.
  • the master administrator also has access to some options that may be turned on or off as the administrator desires.
  • Options accessible to the administrator are defined in the Master Options data structure 204 (FIG. 19), and include for example: (1) whether the slave terminal 16 displays to the player the number of plays remaining in a game; (2) whether winning ticket amounts are broadcast to other slave terminals 16; (3) the amount of time in which to display the closing announcement; (4) whether the low ticket level message should be broadcast, and if so, at what percentage of plays remaining; and (5) whether the optional printer 88 is attached to the master computer 70 (see FIG. 5).
  • the master administrator is capable of sending reports both to the printer 88 or to the monitor 82 (FIG. 5).
  • Audit information is first displayed or printed for each slave terminal 16, and then a summary of all slave terminal 16 information is provided. This information can also be communicated over the modem 24 to the central game processor 12 in a preferred embodiment.
  • Table 3 contains a general listing of the information contained in the audit reports. Game ID/Serial No.
  • Each Slave Terminal 16 Serial Number Game ID or serial Number Plays Remaining Starting Plays Date/Time of Report Plays Remaining Amount Left to Win Audit Information Information included for each slave terminal 16 includes the date and time the slave terminal 16 was initialized, the number of video tickets 164 played, the number of coins and bills received, the total amount bet and won, and the total amount cashed out.
  • the master administrator can preferably disable a game from the master processing unit 14 at any time.
  • the master administrator can queue games to be automatically loaded after the game pool currently played is exhausted. If games are queued in this manner, the succeeding game will share the same form number as the game currently being played so that new game symbols need not be down-loaded to the slave terminal 16 while the game is in progress.
  • the master administrator is capable of observing the status of the games being played, and also which games remain in the inventory of games stored at the master processing units 14. Games listed in the inventory are, therefore, turned on and made active by the master administrator.
  • the following tasks can be performed on-line at the master processing units 14, while games are being played: (1) display game status; (2) display slave terminal/network status; (3) disable a game; (4) display inventory; (5) edit system messages; and (6) queue like forms.
  • the following tasks are performed off-line: (1) display/change system options/flags and send broadcast information; and (2) set up service/site information within a file.
  • Table 4 includes a preferred listing of the commands used in a preferred embodiment of the gaming system 10. As described above, commands are transmitted from the master processing units 14 to the slave terminals 16. Responses are transmitted from the slave terminals 16 to the master processing units 14.
  • Command Definition CMD 01 Transmit Status/Tickets Total & Remaining CMD 02 Receive Ticket/Symbol Definitions CMD 03 Receive Validation # and $$$ Amount CMD 04 Receive Network Broadcast Information CMD 05 Power Down Sequence CMD 06 Copy Slave Audit Info. to AUDIT record
  • CMD 08 Initialize All Meters
  • CMD 09 Initialize Period Meters only CMD 10 Request Denied CMD 11 Force Down Sequence CMD 12 Restart Unit
  • Responses to the commands identified in Table 4 are set forth in Table 5.
  • Responses to Commands #2, #3, #4 and #5 should be Response #1 indicated in Table 5.
  • the response to Command #1 can be any of the responses appearing in Table 5.
  • Response Definition RESP 01 All is well
  • RESP 02 Send a new ticket
  • RESP 03 Send a validation Number
  • RESP 04 Winning Ticket Just Displayed
  • RESP 05 Power down acknowledge
  • RESP 06 Send temporary validation number
  • Command #4 is the broadcast message command initiated at the master processing unit 14. The contents of the message to be displayed will have been previously defined and stored on the master processing unit 14 (in file SYSMSG.PTG 184).
  • Command #5 is a power-down sequence command.
  • the slave terminals 16 should display an appropriate message to the player, such as "PLEASE CASH OUT . . . WE ARE SHUTTING DOWN IN ( ) MINUTES . . .”
  • the slave terminals 16 should be placed out of service, i.e., not allowing any additional plays to be purchased or money to be inserted.
  • each master processing unit 14 requests status information from each slave terminal 16.
  • Command #6 has been reserved for this purpose.
  • the slave terminals 16 update the appropriate record in the AUDIT.PTG 182 file, and conclude with Response #1.
  • the master processing unit 14 will then collate this data and display or print it for the system administrator.
  • This command from the master processing unit 14 allows the slave terminal 16 to:
  • This response indicates to the master processing unit 14 that the slave terminal 16 is operating normally, that a play has not been requested, and that a validation number is not required at this time. This is the correct response if:
  • This command from the master processing unit 14 results when a slave terminal 16 has previously transmitted the "SEND A TICKET" (Response #2) response. It allows the slave terminal 16 to receive and evaluate a new play from the requested pool of game plays.
  • the Tabs and symbol windows (Wind) are defined as follows:
  • the data should be set to 00, e.g., a 3-tab ticket with only 3 windows per tab.
  • This response will be transmitted to the master processing unit 14 if the player has made a valid request for a play. In this case, the player must have credits, and must have pressed the Play pushbutton 166.
  • This command from the master processing unit 14 is generated in response to the slave terminal 16 sending Response #3 - Request Validation Number.
  • the packet would appear as follows: Note that unused codes are space filled (20H).
  • This response is transmitted to the master processing unit 14 if the player has made a valid request to cash out. In this case, the player must have credits, and must have hit the Cash Out pushbutton 172. The response also transmits the amount being cashed out. This information is preferably used by the master processing unit 14 to help create the validation number.
  • This command from the master processing unit 14 will transmit a message to one or more of the slave terminals 16. It will request that a message number previously stored in the slave terminal 16 be displayed on the screen. Up to two parameters can be inserted into the message. Where the message itself contains "ESC 1" or "ESC 2" characters the parameters are inserted in those positions. Bytes not displayed are encoded as 00H.
  • nulls (00 Hex) are used if that byte should not be displayed.
  • This command from the master processing unit 14 requests the slave terminal 16 to issue a "We are about to power down, please press cash out!” message. It will allow up to one parameter to be inserted into the message, e.g., the time until Power Down.
  • This command from the master processing unit 14 requests the slave terminal 16 to update its audit information located in file AUDIT.PTG 182.
  • This command from the master processing unit 14 informs the slave terminal 16 that the last play recannot be filled.
  • This response indicates to the master processing unit 14 that a slave terminal 16 has just displayed a winning play. (It is up to the administrator to decide whether to display this information.)
  • Table 6 includes a list of the make and model of elements employed in the presently preferred embodiment of the gaming system 10. Ref. # Item Description Manufacturer 20 Local area network Lantastic Artisoft, Inc. 44 Keyboard Type 101 Keytronics 136 Printer Laser Printer Epson America, Inc. 112 Printer 40-column printer Star Micronics, Inc. (N/A) Bios type Basic I/O System American Megatrends, Inc. 146 Sound generator AY-3-8940 Hyundai Corp. 148 Darlington Drive UNL-2003A Motorola, Inc. 80 LAN Interface Lantastic Artisoft, Inc. 102 LAN Interface Lantastic Artisoft, Inc. 86 Keyboard Type 101 Keytronics
  • the gaming system is distributed between a central game processor, master processing units and slave terminals.
  • the fixed pools of game plays are created at the central game processor and downloaded to the master processing units upon request.
  • players can purchase game plays from each fixed pool of plays received and stored at the master processing unit to which the slave is attached.
  • a game play corresponds to a video representation of a paper pull-tab lottery ticket.
  • a predetermined number of winning and losing tickets is established for each pool of game plays.
  • a predetermined dollar value for winning plays is included with each game pool. According to the invention, therefore, each player can purchase game plays from the entire fixed pool being stored at the master processing unit to which a slave terminal is connected. Since multiple slave terminals are contemplated for connection to each master processing unit, a single player may compete against other players located at similar slave terminals to purchase as many of the winning tickets in each fixed pool as possible.
  • the gaming system described above thus combines the advantages of paper lottery and wagering games with the popularity and attractiveness of the video game. As described, each player can compete directly with other players for the purchase of winning plays, thus providing an element of competition over the prior paper pull-tab lottery games. Since it is contemplated that slave terminals may be located either within the same location or remotely from one another, players can also compete with other players both locally and across great distances. The excitement, sounds and visual display inherent in a video game provides further attraction of the computer gaming system over the prior paper lottery type games.
  • the invention accordingly also provides a gaming system comprising:
  • a plurality of players can simultaneously operate the player-controlled selection devices provided on the plurality of slave terminals to purchase game plays from the entire fixed pool of game plays stored at the master processing unit.
  • the gaming system may further comprise a local area network for coupling the slave terminals to the master processing unit.
  • Each slave terminal may further comprise a processing element, a display, a local area network interface, and a wager deposit device.
  • the processing element may comprise a personal computer.
  • the player-controlled selection device may comprise a push-button.
  • the master processing unit may comprise a personal computer.
  • the master processing unit may comprise means for maintaining a record of the number of plays selected at each slave terminal from each fixed pool of game plays and the number of plays remaining in each fixed pool of game plays stored at the master processing unit.
  • the gaming system may further comprise a central game processor for generating the fixed pools of game plays, and a communication interface operative to supply the fixed pools of game plays to the master processing unit.
  • the central game processor may comprise means for supplying a new fixed pool of game plays to the master processing unit upon exhaustion of each fixed pool of game plays stored at the master processing unit.
  • the central game processor may comprise means for maintaining a record of the number of game plays remaining in each fixed pool of game plays and the number of winning plays remaining in each fixed pool of game plays.
  • the communication interface may comprise a telephone link, and the central game processor and master processing unit each comprise a modem.
  • the central game processor may further comprise a personal computer.
  • Each game play may comprise an electronically simulated pull-tab lottery ticket.
  • the invention also provides a gaming system comprising means for storing at least one fixed pool of game plays, each fixed pool having a predetermined number of winning plays; and
  • the invention may also provide a gaming system comprising:
  • the communication interface may comprise a local area network.
  • the invention may also provide a gaming system comprising:

Abstract

A gaming system (10) is provided including a central game processor (12), a plurality of master processing units (14) and a plurality of slave terminals (16) operable by players to play the game. The central game processor (12) communicates with the master processing units (14) and supplies the various games available to the system. The master processing units (14) store and administer the games as they are played on the slave terminals. A preferred game includes a fixed pool of game plays and a predetermined number of winning plays within each pool, Each player, through his or her slave terminal (16), can purchase plays in each fixed pool stored in the master processing unit (14) to which that unit is coupled. When a particular pool is exhausted, for example, through the purchase of all plays, the central game processor (12) provides another fixed pool of plays to that master processing unit to enable continuous play.

Description

    FIELD OF THE INVENTION
  • This invention relates to video lottery games and other video games of chance, and in particular, to a video gaming system providing games including a fixed pool of game plays and a predetermined number of winning plays within each pool.
  • BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
  • Lottery games where a player purchases a printed ticket and gambles on winning a prize or sum of money are known in the art. Lottery games of this type, however, generally require little or no skill on the part of the player to play the game. At most, some minimal physical act may be required of the player to reveal a preordained outcome included on the ticket. The outcome of the ticket has likely been determined in advance of the purchase, usually at the time the tickets are printed. In these games, a player can determine immediately whether the ticket was a winning ticket by simply examining the face of the ticket.
  • Other lottery-type games that require additional, non-skilled acts on the part of the player are also known. These games may involve the scratching of a removable surface deposited on the face of the ticket in order to reveal whether the ticket constitutes a winning hand. The information printed on the ticket will usually also indicate the amount of any prize won. In paper pull-tab versions of this type of lottery game, the player may peal back or tear off a paper covering to determine if the ticket was a winner. Even this version of the lottery ticket, however, lacks a sense of competition between other players or any feeling that a player can affect the outcome of the game.
  • The recent proliferation of the video game has provided greater reach or marketability for such lottery or gambling devices. Video games of chance, such as video poker or video black jack, are examples of such video gambling machines. These video games are very accessible and can be installed in bingo parlors or gambling halls so that many players can play at one time.
  • Even where these video lottery games or gambling devices have succeeded in attracting more players, they also have lacked an element of competition whereby a player can compete not simply against a machine, but against other players as well. Such competition would provide an element of thrill to the known lottery game, or even require a degree of skill from a player. In the prior paper lottery systems or video gambling machines, the player essentially competes against the machine and has no indication that other players are also competing to win the same or different prizes.
  • What is lacking, therefore, is a lottery game that would overcome the above disadvantages of the previous lottery systems and would provide the advantages of the now popular video games. These advantages include greater access to more players, ease of operation and administration, and minimal overhead in the form of human administrators. Such a video lottery system would also provide a game where players could directly compete against each other and thus have an impact on their chances of winning.
  • One video lottery game is described in U.S. Patent No. 4,652,998, but lacks this element of competition between players. According to the patent, a pool of tickets is produced and divided into mini-pools among multiple terminals operable by various players. Each mini-pool includes a fixed ratio of winning tickets that are allocated from the greater pool. However, each player only purchases plays from the respective mini-pool allocated to his terminal and gambles on the random nature of prize distribution within that pool. Simultaneous competition against other players is not provided.
  • If a degree of competition were provided to this video lottery system, a level of skill and the thrill of competition with others, would advantageously be added. Competing with other players at the same, or even a remote, location adds an element of fun not provided in the previous gaming systems described above.
  • SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
  • In view of the above, a master processing unit is provided that includes a memory device. The memory device is employed to store a fixed pool of game plays, where each fixed pool of plays includes a predetermined number of winning plays. Coupled to the master processing unit are a plurality of slave terminals that communicate with the master processing unit. Each slave terminal also is equipped with a player-controlled selection device employed to request game plays from the fixed pool of game plays stored at the master processing unit. Play of the games progresses as each player purchases game plays through the slave terminals from the whole pool of game plays stored at the master processing unit until the fixed pool of game plays is exhausted.
  • In one aspect of the invention, a central game processor is also provided, which generates and supplies the fixed pools of game plays to the master processing unit. The central game processor is coupled to the master processing unit through a communication interface. In another aspect of the invention, a plurality of master processing units are provided. Each master processing unit is coupled to the central game processor, and each master processing unit communicates with a plurality of slave terminals coupled to that master processing unit.
  • The preferred embodiments described below combine the advantages of the prior paper lottery systems with the ease and popularity of the video game. As in the paper lottery systems, each player purchases a video lottery play from a fixed pool of such plays. As in the paper lottery systems, each game play has a predetermined chance of winning. The video lottery system, however, has the advantage of continuously updating each player on the chances of purchasing one of the remaining winning plays in the pool. Use of computers and video terminals also affords on-line competition among the many players that can simultaneously play the lottery games at the same or remote locations.
  • In the preferred embodiment, many players are capable of simultaneously competing against each other for a predetermined number of winning plays provided in a fixed pool of lottery game plays. Such competition urges players to race in order to purchase the remaining winning plays within each fixed pool of plays before none remain. An element of strategy and skill is thus introduced since a player may decide to wait for the odds of purchasing a winning play to increase by allowing other competitors to purchase some of the remaining non-winning plays, thereby increasing the odds of purchasing a winning play at a later time. Displaying on a continuous basis the number of remaining plays and the number of winning plays already redeemed allows each player to assess the risk in purchasing another play or whether to cease playing until a new game is initiated.
  • These and other features and advantages will be apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description of the presently preferred embodiments of the invention, taken in conjunction with the appended drawings.
  • BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
  • FIG. 1 is a block diagram of one preferred gaming system made according to the invention;
  • FIG. 2 is a block diagram of one preferred central game processor employed in the gaming system shown in FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 3 is a graphical depiction of the software architecture employed in the central game processor shown in FIG. 2;
  • FIG. 4 is a state diagram for an incoming call state machine employed in the central game processor shown in FIG. 3;
  • FIG. 5 is a block diagram of one preferred master processing unit employed in the gaming system shown in FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 6 is a graphical depiction of the software architecture employed in one preferred embodiment of a master processing unit shown in FIG. 5;
  • FIG. 7 is a flow chart of a preferred background processing routine shown in FIG. 6;
  • FIG. 8 is a block diagram of one preferred slave terminal employed in the gaming system shown in FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 9 is one presently preferred flow chart of the functions performed on the slave terminal shown in FIG. 8, where FIG. 9A illustrates main execution flow on the slave terminal, FIG. 9B illustrates flow of the play selection subroutine, FIG. 9C illustrates flow of the command response subroutine, FIG. 9D illustrates flow of the wager selection subroutine, FIG. 9E illustrates flow of the cash out subroutine, FIG. 9F illustrates flow of the transaction cancel subroutine, FIG. 9G illustrates flow of the open single tab or open all tabs subroutine, FIG. 9H illustrates flow of the select ticket subroutine and FIG. 9I illustrates the wager deposit subroutine;
  • FIGS. 10-13 are preferred circuit diagrams of a general purpose input/output interface adapter employed in the slave terminal shown in FIG. 8, where FIGS. 10A & 10B together show signal decoding circuitry, FIG. 11 shows the memory logic, FIG. 12 shows sound generation circuitry and FIGS. 13A & 13B together illustrate the input/output interface;
  • FIG. 14 is a preferred illustration of one display produced on a video monitor employed in the slave terminal shown in FIG. 8,
  • FIG. 15 is subsequent display produced on the video monitor of the slave terminal showing a preferred video lottery ticket;
  • FIG. 16 is further successive display of the video lottery ticket shown in FIG. 15 prior to being opened;
  • FIG. 17 illustrates the video lottery ticket shown in FIG. 16 after being opened;
  • FIG. 18 is a graphic depiction of the master/slave communication files; and
  • FIG. 19 is a depiction of the globally accessible data structures employed in the gaming system shown in FIG. 1.
  • DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
  • Reference is now made to the drawings where like elements are identified by like numerals throughout. FIG. 1 shows a gaming system made according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, generally designated at 10. The gaming system 10 includes a central game processor 12, which controls and administers operation of the gaming system 10. Preferably, remotely located from the central game processor 12 are multiple master processing units 14. In one embodiment of the invention, the master processing units 14 are connected to the central game processor 12 employing a telephone link. In this embodiment, up to sixteen telephone lines 18 are used to connect between modems 22 provided with each master processing unit 14 and the multiple-line modems 24 provided in the central game processor 12.
  • A plurality of slave terminals 16 are in turn connected to each master processing unit 14. According to the preferred embodiment, up to twenty slave terminals 16 can be configured to each master processing unit 14. In this embodiment, the slave terminals 16 are interconnected through a local area network (LAN) 20. The local area network 20 also couples the slave terminals 16 to their respective master processing unit 14.
  • Although a preferred system configuration has been described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that a number of different system configurations are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. As will be appreciated, the combination of components provided in the gaming system 10 comprises an integrated computer system capable of operating an electronic lottery/gambling system or other similar games. Each component of the gaming system 10 provides a specific function necessary to operation of the gaming system 10 as a whole. However, these functions can be further distributed or combined among other computer architectures.
  • As will be described more fully below, each element of the system 10 (the central game processor 12, the master processing units 14, and the slave terminals 16) also executes one or more computer programs in order to perform their respective tasks. The preferred computer programs addressed below may also take on different forms without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
  • The purpose of the central game processor 12 is two-fold: (1) the central game processor 12 electronically generates each fixed pool of game plays provided on the gaming system 10, and (2) serves as an interface to each master processing unit 14. The central game processor 12 thus acts as a repository for, and coordinates the production of, graphic data and game play information. The central game processor 12 supplies, or downloads, the fixed pools of game plays to each master processing unit 14, and also performs periodic audit and security checks of the master processing units 14.
  • Each master processing unit 14 also contributes a unique function to the gaming system 10. The purpose of the master processing units 14 is primarily to manage the game plays being requested at the slave terminals 16. The master processing units 14 administer the games as they are being played at the slave terminals 16. In the administration of the games, the master processing units 14 provide audit information about each of the slave terminals 16 to the central game processor 12. The master processing units 14 also handle the summation and termination of each player's game play by calculating each player's winnings and providing the player with a receipt.
  • The slave terminals 16 provide the player interface to the gaming system 10. The purpose of each slave terminal 16, therefore, is to handle and process game play requests from each player. Each slave terminal 16 keeps track of each player's winnings and serves as a repository for each player's wagers. As part of the player interface, each slave terminal 16 detects if the game play currently requested by a player constitutes a winning play, and if so, displays to the player the amount won.
  • One objective of the presently preferred gaming system 10 is to simulate, through a video game embodiment, the action and play of a paper pull-tab lottery game. The gaming system 10, however, is also capable of supplying a variety of other games including more sophisticated games. Examples of such games include poker, slot machines, progressive games, Pai Gow, black jack, keno, bingo, crops, roulette and Red Dog.
  • According to the preferred embodiment of the invention, several players are capable of participating and simultaneously playing the games provided by the gaming system 10. Each player participates by purchasing plays through a respective slave terminal 16. Each master processing unit 14 maintains a fixed pool of game plays supplied from the central game processor 12 to be transmitted to the slave terminals 16. Thus, as in the paper pull-tab lottery games, each player has access to and can purchase plays from the entire fixed pool of game plays stored at each master processing unit 14. Through the use of a player-controlled selection device (e.g., pushbuttons or the like) a player can request and purchase game plays and gamble on purchasing a winning play. Each player's activities, therefore, bear a direct result on the outcome of purchasing subsequent plays from the fixed pool of game plays stored at the master processing units 14.
  • In the preferred embodiment, it is important that each game retain the play and feel of the paper pull-tab lottery games. Thus, each player is continuously alerted regarding how many plays remain in each fixed pool. The number of plays remaining need not be displayed as a numeric count per se, but may appear visually as a graphic representation. In a typical game to be played on the gaming system, between 1200 and 4800 plays are included in each fixed pool of game plays. In an alternate embodiment, however, the gaming system 10 has the ability to handle "lotto" type games including a million plays or more.
  • In the preferred embodiment, each master processing unit 14 can dispense up to twelve or more games simultaneously, and each slave terminal 16 is continuously informed as to the amount of plays remaining in each fixed pool of plays. As an added feature, if many slave terminals 16 are located in a single gambling hall or casino, each slave terminal 16 will display to the player the various events happening within the hall. Announcements regarding closing of the hall, or that another player has won, enhances the feeling that each player is competing against a group of players and not just against the machine itself.
  • The video pull-tab lottery games administered by the gaming system 10 preferably have the following characteristics. A video representation of a pull-tab ticket is provided on the slave terminals 16 showing which combinations of symbols comprise a winning play. This video "ticket" comprises one of the fixed pool of plays provided by the central game processor 12 for each pull-tab game. The gaming system 10 also displays the video ticket both before and after it has been opened. Such display illustrates the appropriate graphic symbols that indicate either a winning or losing play. A mechanism that allows each player to manage his betting while the game is being played is also provided. Features of this mechanism include facilities for crediting, debiting, depositing and withdrawing wagers as required by each player during play of the game.
  • As mentioned, software is employed throughout the gaming system 10 in order to provide the fixed pools of game plays and to coordinate the activities taking place in the gaming system 10. The central game processor 12 includes a program for generating the fixed pools of game plays for each game supplied in the gaming system 10. As provided in the paper pull-tab lottery games, each fixed pool of game plays includes a predetermined number of winning plays. This predetermined number of winning plays is fixed at the generation of each pool of game plays. As a result, in a fixed pool of "x" game plays and "y" winning plays, there are x - y = "z" game plays that do not constitute a winning hand. Software provided on the slave terminals 16 continuously indicates to each player the number of winning plays already purchased from each fixed pool and thus provides an indication of the chances of purchasing a subsequent winning play.
  • Software is also provided to configure and operate the components of the gaming system 10 to perform their intended functions. The specific functions performed by each of the components of the gaming system 10 is described in more detail below.
  • I. Central Game Processor 12
  • Referring to FIG. 2, the central game processor 12 comprises a central computer 30. In the preferred embodiment, the central computer 30 can be an IBM Personal Computer-AT (or the equivalent), including an 80386 (or 80486) microprocessor 32 manufactured by Intel Corp., Santa Clara, California, which preferably operates at a thirty-three megahertz clock speed. Further provided on the central computer 30 is a hard disk drive 34 and random access memory (RAM) 36. In order to provide ample storage space for the software running on the central game processor 12, preferred sizes for these memory devices range from 80- to 100-megabytes for the hard disk- drive 34 and four megabytes for the RAM 36.
  • To facilitate communication with the master processing units 14, the central computer 30 also includes a plurality of modems 24, or a multi-channel communication card (not shown). To achieve the necessary data throughput, the modem 24 preferably operates at 2400-baud or higher. To complete the architecture of the central game processor 12, the central computer 30 also includes a video monitor 40 and an associated video graphics adapter (VGA) card 42, a keyboard 44, and a printer 46.
  • The central game processor 12 operates as the central or coordinating computer for the overall gaming system 10. One function of the central game processor 12 is to issue new fixed pools of game plays and new games to each master processing unit 14 as they are needed. The central game processor 12 thus keeps an adequate inventory of the games currently being offered, and ensures that the system itself is operating properly. A prime function of the central game processor 12, therefore, is to communicate with each master processing unit 14 and to supply each master processing unit 14 with more pools or more games.
  • In the preferred embodiment of the invention, new pools of game plays are entered by operators at the central game processor 12. Operators simply key in data from preexisting paper pull-tab lottery tickets into the central computer 30. As will be described in more detail below, software running on the central computer 30 converts the raw symbol and deal data entered by the operators into several files to be used in the gaming system 10. For example, one of such software programs examines the data entered for each paper ticket and searches for winning symbol combinations. Winning combinations are identified by the central computer 30, which stores temporarily the amount won for that combination. When all combinations and directions (horizontally, vertically and diagonally) have been scanned and scored, the final amount won is appended to the ticket data (described in detail below) and stored in the central computer 30. As is the case with most tickets, if no winning combinations are detected, the amount won will be zero and stored as such with the ticket data. When all tickets have been entered and scanned by the central computer 30, the pool of tickets is stored for subsequent transfer upon request from the master processing units 14.
  • In order to perform its tasks, the central game processor 12 should preferably receive and log update requests from each master processing unit 14. Conversely, the central game processor 12 is able to poll each master processing unit 14 to request status about the specific local area network 20 configuration and the individual status of each slave terminal 16 connected thereto. The central game processor 12 thus becomes both the logical and physical link between all of the master processing units 14. A detailed description of the communication protocol between the master game processors 14 and the respective slave terminals 16 is provided below in connection with FIG. 18.
  • In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the central game processor 12 comprises a personal computer or minicomputer. The functions described above, as well as additional functions, are thus contained in software programs that execute on the central game processor 12. For example, such software enables the central game processor 12 to transmit codes in order to communicate with each master processing unit 14. These codes communicate instructions to the master processing units 14 to cause information stored in the master processing unit 14 to be transmitted to the central game processor 12. The software also enables the transmission of new game designs from the central game processor 12 to each master processing unit 14. Further, software is provided to poll each master processing unit 14 in order to determine gaming patterns and trends.
  • A graphical depiction of the software architecture for the central game processor 12 is shown in FIG. 3. Both foreground 50 and background 52 tasks are performed by the software operating on the central computer 30. Foreground tasks 50 handle a menu-driven operator interface, which receives input from the system administrator sitting at the video monitor 40 and keyboard 44. Executing in the background is a routine for handling incoming calls from the master processing units 14. Each call comes into the central computer 30 over a series of telephone lines 18 and is received by the plurality of modems 24 included in the central game processor 12. After the incoming call is processed by the communications software 54, the central game processor 12 must determine how to respond to the call. Provided in FIG. 4 is a state machine included in the central computer 30 that handles the incoming calls.
  • II. Master Processing Unit 14
  • A preferred embodiment of one master processing unit 14 is shown in FIG. 5. In the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 5, each master processing unit 14 includes a master computer 70. The master computer 70 is preferably an IBM Personal Computer-AT type computer, including an 80386 microprocessor 72 manufactured by Intel Corp., Santa Clara, California, and operated at a clock speed of thirty-three megahertz. The master computer 70 also includes a hard disk memory 74 and on-board RAM 76. To satisfy the software needs of the master processing units 14, the hard disk memory 74 should be at least 80-megabytes and the on-board RAM 76 should include between two and four megabytes of addressable space.
  • Further provided on the master computer 70 is a 2400- to 9600-baud modem 22 for communication with the central game processor 12, and a LAN interface 80 for communication with the plurality of slave terminals 16 coupled to the master processing units 14. The LAN interface 80 on the master processing unit 14 is thus similar to that provided in each slave terminal 16 (described below). A video monitor 82 and associated video graphics adapter card 84 are also included in the master computer 70, as is a keyboard 86. The master computer 70 may also include an optional printer 88.
  • Each master processing unit 14 has two primary responsibilities: (1) to perform certain requests initiated from the central game processor 12, and (2) to maintain continuous communication with each slave terminal 16. As part of its first task, each master processing unit 14 responds to requests initiated by the central game processor 12. In the preferred embodiment, each master processing unit 14 stores at least one fixed pool of game plays received from the central game processor 12. Each master processing unit 14 further includes passwords for four levels of access to the master processing units 14. These passwords are distributed to the various levels of master administrators operating each master processing unit 14. One password is preferably employed to start the game, and at least one other password is required to change or display any network parameters.
  • As part of its second responsibility, each master processing unit 14 is prepared to respond to requests from the slave terminals 16 configured on its local area network 20 (FIG. 1). A primary function of the master processing units 14 is to download game plays requested from the slave terminals 16 from the fixed pool of game plays stored in the master processing unit 14. Each master processing unit 14 can also request the status of each slave terminal 16, generate and send a validation code to any slave terminal 16, and broadcast messages to all slave terminals 16 connected to its local area network 20.
  • The master processing unit 14 also has the ability to view network activity in order to determine the status of a particular game being played at the various slave terminals 16. In a preferred embodiment, the master processing unit 14 displays to a master administrator (bingo hall or gambling operator) an inventory report of the games currently offered on the gaming system 10. The master processing unit 14 also displays the status of its network, i.e., the status of each slave terminal 16 connected to the master processing unit 14, and provides an audit report regarding each particular slave terminal 16. The master processing unit 14 also displays the status of each pool, which includes an indication of the amount of plays remaining. A list is also provided of game options, which are selectable at each master processing unit 14 by the master administrator.
  • As play on the gaming system 10 commences, the main duty of the master processing unit 14 is to poll the slave terminals 16, one-by-one, to provide their status. The collection of status information is done such that each player will not notice a delay in response time from his or her slave terminal 16. The status of each slave terminal 16 may be one of five states: (1) enabled, (2) disabled, (3) out of service, (4) not responding, and (5) operational.
  • Each master processing unit 14 also includes facilities to shut down its local area network 20 in an orderly fashion, and then power down its branch of the gaming system 10. Thus, each master processing unit 14 of the gaming system 10 configures its local area network 20 on a case-by-case basis.
  • A graphical depiction of the software architecture for the master processing units 14 is provided in FIG. 6. Each master processing unit 14 preferably performs internal diagnostics upon power-up. After the diagnostics are completed, a password or log-on code is required from the master administrator to start the games, as described above. After the proper log-on has been initiated, the display appearing at each master processing unit 14 continuously shows the status of each slave terminal 16 connected to its local area network 20.
  • As shown in FIG. 6, foreground 60 and background 62 processing is performed at the master processing units 14. In the foreground, a menu-driven user interface is provided to handle communication to and from the master administrator. Information received from the master administrator is communicated from an operator display 66 and handled by the foreground processing routines.
  • Background processing 62 on the master processing unit 14 handles messages received from the slave terminals 16. Information from the slave terminals 16 is received by the master processing unit 14 over its local area network 20. Similarly, game plays from the fixed pool of game plays stored in a database 64 located on the master processing unit 14 are communicated over the local area network 20 to the slave terminals 16. A flow chart of the background processing 62 performed on the master processing unit 14 appears in FIG. 7.
  • As shown in FIG. 7, at steps 90, 91, the background loop normally reads and displays the time of day until a command (ticket validation, audit, etc.) or response is received from a slave terminal 16. If a command or response has taken place, the master processing unit 14 must determine how to react. As shown at steps 92, 93, if a specific command is pending at the master processing unit 14, the command is sent to the requesting slave terminal 16 over the local area network 20. If not, the master processing unit 14 may poll the slave terminal for its status at step 94.
  • After transmitting a command, the master processing unit 14 determines at steps 97, 98 whether the slave terminal 16 has responded appropriately. If so, the master processing unit 14 processes the response at step 95. After completion of these tasks, the background routine relinquishes control of the master processor at step 96.
  • In order to access any of the remaining features provided at each master processing unit 14, a second or third password may be required as explained above. Examples of the remaining features provided by the master processing units 14 include selection of game options, record keeping and audit-oriented tasks. A detailed description of these functions is provided in more detail below.
  • III. Slave Terminal 16
  • FIG. 8 is a block diagram of one preferred embodiment of a slave terminal 16. At the heart of each slave terminal 16 is a slave computer 100. The slave computer 100 can be in one preferred embodiment an IBM Personal Computer, or a minicomputer or personal computer of similar function. The slave computer 100 thus preferably includes a microprocessor 106 and a video graphics adaptor 108, which connects to a color monitor 110. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the slave computer microprocessor 106 is an 80286 (or 80386) microprocessor manufactured by Intel Corp., Santa Clara, California, which preferably operates at a twenty megahertz clock speed.
  • Included in the slave computer 100 is a LAN interface 102 for communication to the master processing unit 14. The LAN interface 102 couples to a LAN connector 104 provided on the slave terminal 16, which ties each slave terminal 16 to its respective local area network 20 (FIG. 1). The LAN connector 104 preferably comprises a BNC T-type connector for configuration to the local area network 20. In the slave computer 100, the LAN interface 102 uses interrupts "IRQ3" or "IRQ15" to communicate with the microprocessor 106, and preferably is ROM-base selectable. A programmable read only memory (PROM) used to boot start the slave terminal 16 is also included in the LAN interface 102.
  • The color monitor 110 included in each slave terminal 16 is an essential element to the player interface of the gaming system 10. In the preferred embodiment, each color monitor 110 displays the video version of the paper pull-tab lottery ticket that comprises a preferred game play in the gaming system 10. Preferably, the color monitor 110 produces a 640 x 480 x 256 non-interlaced display. The smaller the dot pitch of the color monitor 110, the more accurate the display; however, extremely high graphics resolution is not a critical item of the slave terminal 16. The video graphics adaptor 108 consequently provides the same 640 x 480 x 256 non-interlaced display, and is preferably capable of displaying up to 256 colors simultaneously. The video graphics adaptor 108 also includes approximately one megabyte of on-board memory (not shown) to achieve the displays contemplated for use in the preferred gaming system 10. The memory provides storage for video graphics software drivers and other video graphics processing elements.
  • The Bios type employed in the slave terminals 16 may be any of the commercially available Bios types, so long as a keyboard (not shown) provided on the slave terminal 16 can be disabled through software. The slave computer 100 should also preferably include at least 512-kilobytes of random access memory to accomplish its many tasks in a reasonable time.
  • As shown in FIG. 8, a general purpose input/output (I/O) interface adapter 116 is also coupled to the microprocessor 106. The general purpose I/O interface adapter 116 preferably resides at memory address D800H. In the preferred embodiment, the general purpose I/O interface adapter 116 comprises a custom printed circuit board, which is described in greater detail below in connection with FIGS. 10-13. The general purpose I/O interface adapter 116 connects to a speaker 120 located on the exterior of the slave terminal cabinet 115. The speaker 120 projects the various sounds used during the play of the games on the gaming system 10. These sounds are stored and generated by a sound generator chip located in the general purpose I/O interface adapter 116 (described below). Connected to the general purpose I/O interface adaptor 116 is a battery backed RAM 118. A door 122 is also provided in the slave computer cabinet 115 to allow operator or service access to the general purpose I/O interface adaptor 116.
  • Configured to the general purpose I/O interface adaptor 116 are the necessary electro-mechanical devices required to implement the gaming system 10 of the invention. In the preferred embodiment, these elements include a wager accepter, preferably in the form of a bill accepter 124 and a coin acceptor 126, a plurality of player-controlled selection devices in the form of pushbuttons 128, and indicator lights 130. The front switch panel of the slave terminal 16 may include as many as ten such player controlled pushbuttons 128. The bill acceptor 124 located on the slave terminal 16 is preferably capable of accepting denominations from $1 to $20. Also provided in the slave terminal 16, are five 16-bit expansion slots (not shown) for future expansion or customization, a hopper 132 to retain wagers and at least four digital meters 134 to display scores, etc.
  • Each slave terminal 16 also preferably provides a validation ticket to the players after the player is through playing. The slave computer 100 also includes a printer 112 to provide a hard copy printout of its status. The interface between the microprocessor 106 and the printer 112 is accomplished through a printer interface card 114 as shown in FIG. 8.
  • Referring to FIGS. 9A-9I, a flow chart of the functions performed by the slave terminal 16 is provided. The functions identified in FIGS. 9A-9I are preferably implemented through software residing at the slave terminals 16. At steps 210, 212 of FIG. 9A execution begins and all variables are initialized. At step 214 the program checks for a power failure, and if power has failed, at step 216 corrective action is taken and flow proceeds at step 218 to pick up where execution left off (see FIG. 9B below). At step 224 the program determines if player credits are available from either wager deposits or a player's winnings. If there are no credits available, then the particular slave terminal 16 is not being used and the slave terminal 16 is idle. While not in use, the slave terminal 16 executes a demonstration loop at steps 220, 222 and displays an "attract" screen (discussed below). At step 222 the program checks for any communication sent from the master processing unit 14.
  • If credits are available at step 224, the program proceeds with play of the game. At step 226, a "select value" screen is displayed and at step 228 the program waits for player entry. While waiting, the program again checks at step 230 for communications from the master processing unit 14. Player entry can come in the form of any of the player controlled pushbuttons 128 provided on the slave terminal cabinet 115 (FIG. 8). A preferred set of pushbuttons 128 is illustrated in FIG. 9A, which correspond to wager denomination pushbuttons 234, 236, 238 (Group 1) or play action buttons 242-250 (Group 2).
  • Referring now to FIG. 9B, should a player depress the Play push-button, the program first determines whether enough player credits are available at step 254. If not, the program branches back at step 256 to wait for correct player input. If enough credits are available to the player, at step 258 the program initiates a ticket request to the master processing unit 14. Upon receipt of the ticket data from the master processing unit 14, the player's credits are decremented to reflect the wager amount at step 260 and the data received from the master processing unit 14 is loaded into the RAM 118 on the slave terminal 16 (FIG. 8). At step 264, the program displays an unopened video ticket and waits for new player input at step 266.
  • FIG. 9C illustrates the flow of communication between the slave terminals 16 and the master processing unit 14. As mentioned above, the slave terminal periodically checks to determine if there is a command pending from the master processing unit (step 268). If not, program flow returns to the main slave routine at step 270. If a command is pending from the master processing unit 14, a response is required by the slave terminal 16. In the preferred embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 9C, a variety of slave terminal responses 272 are available for the various commands sent by the master processing units 14 (described below).
  • Further player input provided at step 228 of FIG. 9A is illustrated in FIGS. 9D-9H. FIG. 9D illustrates program flow upon selection of one of the wager denomination (Group 1) pushbuttons 234, 236, 238. At step 274 the wagered amount is set, and at steps 276, 278 the program awaits selection of one of the play action (Group 2) pushbuttons 242-250. Should the player select the Cash Out push-button, the program then determines if the player has any credits to redeem (step 278). If not, at step 280 the program returns to wait for valid input. If credits are available to be redeemed, at step 282 the program requests a validation number from the master processing unit 14. Upon receipt of the validation number, at step 284 a validation ticket is printed and at step 286 the player's credits are cleared. The program then returns to the demonstration mode at step 288.
  • Referring to FIG. 9F, the player may select the Cancel pushbutton. If so, and if a ticket face is being displayed at step 290, the program branches to again display the "select value" screen at step 292. If not, at step 294 the program returns to the main program flow.
  • Should the player select the Open Tab X or Open All pushbutton, program flow continues at step 246 shown in FIG. 9G. At Step 296 the appropriate tab or tabs are opened and the "underlying" ticket symbols are displayed. The program then determines if all tabs are open at step 298. If not, at step 230 the program branches back for more player input (i.e., open the next tab). If all tabs are open, the player credits are incremented at step 302 if a winning ticket was selected. If a winning ticket has been purchased, at step 304 a congratulatory display is also presented. The program then returns at step 306 to await new player input.
  • Should the player depress the Select pushbutton, at step 308 of Fig. 9H the program displays the face of the next available ticket in the fixed pool of game plays. At step 310, the program waits for new player input.
  • Referring to FIG. 9I, a wager subroutine is illustrated. At step 312, an interrupt is generated to the microprocessor 106 (FIG. 8) and at step 314 the player's credits are increased according to the wager amount deposited by the player into the slave terminal 16. At step 316, the program then returns to the main program flow of FIG. 9A.
  • Referring now to FIGS. 10-13, detailed schematic diagrams of the general purpose I/O interface adapter 116 are provided. As seen in FIGS. 10-13, a plurality of programmable array logic devices (PAL's) 140 are employed throughout the general purpose I/O interface adapter 116. The PAL's 140 comprise much of the interconnect circuitry and help reduce the chip count on this printed circuit board. In one preferred embodiment of the invention, the PAL's 140 are programmed using the TANGO-PLD (Version 1.11) PAL assembler. Copies of the programming equations for the PAL's 140 employed in the general purpose I/O interface adapter 116 are provided in the Appendix.
  • In addition to the PAL's 140, a plurality of buffers/drivers 142 are provided throughout the circuitry shown in FIGS. 10-13. These buffers/drivers 142 help boost, latch and clock signals as they propagate through the general purpose I/O interface adapter 116. As shown in FIG. 11, a RAM 144 is also provided in the general purpose I/O interface adapter 116. In preferred embodiment, the RAM 144 is 32 kilobytes in size.
  • Referring to FIG. 12, a sound generator integrated circuit (IC) 146 is included in the general purpose I/O interface adapter 116. The sound generator IC 146 produces and stores the sounds projected from the speaker 120 (FIG. 8) employed with the gaming system 10. As those skilled in the art will appreciate, such sounds can take on many different forms depending on the games being played on the gaming system 10 and personal tastes.
  • Referring to FIG. 13B, a number of Darlington Drive current boosters 148 are also provided in the general purpose I/O interface adaptor 116. The Darlington current boosters 148 are used in the preferred embodiment to drive the indicator lights 130, the bill accepter 124, coin accepter 126 and the digital meters 134 appearing on the slave terminal 16 (see FIG. 8).
  • As can be seen, in the preferred embodiment shown in FIGS. 10-13 many integrated circuits are employed to perform various functions in the general purpose I/O interface adapter 116. To meet the preferred response times for the gaming system 10, therefore, these integrated circuits should possess no more than an 80- or 100-nanosecond propagation delay in order to provide a zero-wait state environment for the gaming system 10.
  • IV. Gaming System 10 Operation
  • In the gaming system 10, the slave terminal 16 operates as follows. Preferably, the slave terminal 16 first runs a set of internal diagnostics each time it is turned on. (As shown in FIG. 8, each slave computer 100 is connected to its own power supply 136.) Since each master processing unit 14 preferably shows a graphic map of its slave network during operation of the gaming system 10, if a slave terminal 16 does not pass its internal diagnostics, the network map will show that slave terminal 16 as "ENABLED" but "NOT RESPONDING". It is the master administrator's task to determine what to do to resolve the slave terminal 16 error, such as placing a call for service to a local distributor or service representative. When the slave terminal 16 passes its internal diagnostics, the master processing unit 14 will show the slave terminal 16 as "ON-LINE".
  • The slave terminal 16 next displays an introductory display on the color monitor 110 to attract attention and players. This attract screen includes demonstration graphics of game operation in a manner known in the art. A depiction of a front view of a slave terminal cabinet 115, including a display of the attract screen appearing on the color monitor 110, is shown in FIG. 14.
  • Preferably located at the top or bottom of the display is a field 160 used to broadcast messages received from the master processing units 14. As described more fully below, one of the tasks of the master processing units 14 is to broadcast to each slave terminal 16 messages regarding the game pool currently being played on that master processing unit 14. These messages are employed to convey information regarding other players' betting to create an atmosphere of competition over the gaming system 10. An example of these messages include: "Another winning play has been purchased on machine 6!!!"; or "Congratulations to the player on machine 2, who just selected a $250 winning play!!!". In a preferred embodiment, these messages are displayed on each slave terminal 16 regardless of whether it is sitting idle or is in the middle of a play.
  • As shown in FIG. 14, a "CREDITS" field 162 is preferably located in the upper left hand corner of the display appearing on the color monitor 110. An indication of the number of tickets remaining in the pool currently being played is also provided in the upper right hand corner of the display. In the preferred gaming system 10, each time a player deposits a wager in the appropriate slot on the slave terminal 16, the CREDITS field 162 is updated. Deposit of the wager also commences play on the gaming system 10.
  • Referring to FIG. 15, after the placement of a wager the display changes to show the face of a video ticket 164 (corresponding to the face of a paper pull-tab ticket) on the left hand side of the display screen 165. As play progresses, if the player next depresses the Play pushbutton 166 (FIG. 14), the slave terminal 16 will electronically request a play from the pool of remaining plays stored at the master processing unit 14. In response, the master processing unit 14 will transmit to the slave terminal 16 a packet of ticket data representing the purchased play. Each play corresponds to a video pull-tab ticket in the preferred embodiment of the invention. The data received is stored on the slave terminal 16 to be interpreted after the player depresses the next appropriate pushbutton.
  • In the preferred embodiment of the master processing unit 14 employing the 80286 microprocessor, the worst case response time for the slave terminal 16 to receive a play will be approximately 0.83 seconds. However, the average response time is likely to be 0.42 seconds depending on the number of players currently participating. When the play is received at the slave terminal 16, the CREDITS field 162 is decremented to reflect the wager amount.
  • The graphic depiction appearing on the screen of the color monitor 110 is then updated to the configuration shown in FIG. 16. The video ticket 164 appearing on the left hand side of the display screen 165 does not change between FIGS. 15 and 16; however, the box appearing on the right side of the display screen 165 is presented to simulate and display the closed pull-tabs 170 of a paper pull-tab lottery ticket. The player then has the option of sequentially opening the pull-tabs 170 one at a time, or opening all of the pull-tabs 170 at once. In order to further simulate a paper pull-tab lottery ticket, the slave terminal 16 will produce a ripping sound as the screen displays the pull-tabs 170 being slowly opened (FIG. 17). As shown in FIG. 17, the pull-tabs 170 will remain open as if they were peeled away from the video ticket 164 appearing on the display screen 165.
  • After the pull-tabs 170 have been opened, the slave terminal 16 scans the data received from the master processing unit 14 with each video ticket 164 to determine if the ticket 164 includes any winning combinations. In the preferred embodiment, since all tickets 164 have previously been tabulated and identified by the central game processor 12, the slave terminal 16 simply scans the data received from the master processing unit 14 to detect the presence of a winning combination. Such combination is identified by the central game processor 12 at the time tickets are input into the system (described above) by preferably setting a bit in the video ticket data packet sent to the slave terminal 16. Upon detection of the set bit, the slave terminal knows a winning combination has been purchased. If a winning combination is detected, the slave terminal 16 reads and displays the amount won in the lower portion of the display screen 165 as illustrated in FIG. 17. Any amount won is added to the CREDITS field 162 appearing on the screen. After a short delay, the screen reverts back to the display shown in FIG. 14. This sequence of play, and the associated screen displays, continues until a player exhausts all of his or her credits, or until the player depresses the Cash Out pushbutton 172 (FIG. 14).
  • After the Cash Out pushbutton 172 has been depressed by a player, a validation ticket is printed with a validation number received from the master processing unit 14. In a preferred embodiment, the player may then take this validation ticket to a cashier in order to redeem any prizes or money won.
  • V. System Implementation
  • In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the local area network 20 connecting the slave terminals 16 to the master processing unit 14 is an Ethernet network employing the Ethernet 802.3 protocol. To communicate, each side (i.e., each slave terminal 16 or master processing unit 14) must lock a record transmitted over the network 20 before attempting to read or write it. The recipient must then unlock the record when it is finished. Communication between the slave terminals 16 and the master processing units 14 is thus controlled through software running on each component.
  • A listing of the definitions of the programs used in a preferred embodiment of the gaming system 10 appears below. The files designated are stored in either the central game processor 12, the master processing units 14 or the slave terminals 16 depending upon the file type and its usage.
  • Configuration Files
  • SITE.CFG
    - site specific information: name, phone number, etc.
    USER.CFG
    - users and passwords
    OPTION.CFG
    - configurable options
    SLAVE.CFG
    - state of slave terminals (enabled or disabled)
    GAME.MAP
    - relates pools to active games
    Report Files
  • EVENT.LOG
    - sequential record of key system events
    STATUS.RPT
    - current system status
    AUDITxx.RPT
    - status of all the slave terminals 16
  • Four files are also provided for each pool of game tickets, which identify the game serial number and a description of the aspects of each game. These game files are set forth below.
  • Game Files
  • FORMxxxx.CFG
    - game configuration information, (i.e., rows, size, etc.)
    FORMxxxx.HDR
    - header file for no. of winning ticket combinations and amounts
    FORMxxxx.DEF
    - ticket definitions and symbols
    FORMxxxx.DST
    - ticket distribution (i.e., how many of what type)
    Validation Files
  • VALIDATE.REC
    - 50 validation records (assigned and free)
    VALIDATE.STT
    - validation state (most recent seq # & date)
    Other Files
  • AUDIT.PTG
    - File of 20 records containing audit information about each slave terminal 16.
    CMDRSP.PTG
    - File of 20 records containing command/response block for each slave terminal 16.
    GAMHDRxx.PTG
    - File of the Game Header, where xx=01-12 depending on game number.
    SYSMSG.PTG
    - File of messages for slave terminal 16 and master processing unit 14. Each record is 80 bytes long, and is indexed by record number.
  • In the preferred embodiment of the invention, software is provided at the central game processor 12 to convert the raw symbol data entered by the operators into the video ticket data mentioned above. For example, one file, CVTPTI.EXE, is employed to convert the raw symbol data into the four game files identified above.
  • Set forth in Table 1 is a preferred configuration of an audit record prepared by the master processing unit 14 to be completed for each of the slave terminals 16. The record appearing in Table 1 represents 1 of 20 such sequential records arranged in the file AUDIT.PTG for each slave terminal 16 coupled to the LAN 20.
    Figure 00310001
    Figure 00320001
    Figure 00330001
  • Set forth in Table 2 is a sample game file used in the preferred embodiment of the gaming system 10. Each gave file contains the necessary parameters to define each game. The first symbol (Symbol #1) provided in the game file is the symbol that appears in the upper left-hand corner of the video ticket 164 displayed on each color monitor 110 (see FIGS. 15-17). In the preferred embodiment, the gaming system 10 also includes headers for each game offered on the system. Each game header is stored in a separate file called GAMHDRxx.PTG, where "xx" represents the game number.
    Byte Description
    00 FORM NUMBER (BCD) FORM NUMBER (BCD)
    01 FORM NUMBER (BCD) FORM NUMBER (BCD)
    02 SERIAL # (BCD) SERIAL # (BCD)
    03 SERIAL # (BCD) SERIAL # (BCD)
    04 SERIAL # (BCD) SERIAL # (BCD)
    05 SERIAL # (BCD) SERIAL # (BCD)
    06 CREDITS PER TICKET (1-4) HEX
    07 (Reserved)
    08 (Reserved)
    09 (Reserved)
    0A (Reserved)
    0B (Reserved)
    0C (Reserved)
    0D (Reserved)
    0E (Reserved)
    0F (Reserved)
    10 # of Symbols/Window (BCD) # of Windows (BCD)
    11 # of Total Symbols used in the Game (Hex)
  • The form number and serial number for each game appears at the top of each header file at locations 00H and 01H. The form number for each game is preferably three digits; the unused bit in the file is thus zero-filled. For example, Form #720 would be entered as "07-20". The serial number is handled in the same manner.
  • Referring to FIG. 18, the four files listed above under the Other Files designation consist of files used for communication between the master processing units 14 and the slave terminals 16. As shown in FIG. 18, the file CMDRSP.PTG 180 comprises a record of the commands and responses received or transmitted by each slave terminal 16. Each slave terminal 16 reads commands written to this file by the master processing unit 14, and each slave terminal 16 writes its response to this file to be read by the master processing unit 14. The location of this file in the master processing units 14 is identified in FIG. 19 (Command Queues 208). A detailed description of the preferred commands and responses employed on the gaming system 10 is provided below.
  • The file AUDIT.PTG 182 comprises a record of the status for each slave terminal 16. Slave terminal 16 status is written to the file by each slave terminal 16 on command from the master processing unit 14. The information stored in this file is processed by the master processing units 14 to generate the audit report for the system administrator.
  • As shown in FIG. 18, both the SYSMSG.PTG 184 file and the GAMHDRxx.PTG 186 file are files employed in a unidirectional manner; data is written to each by the master processing unit 14 to be read by the slave terminal 16. In the file SYSMSG.PTG 184, system messages are stored to be broadcast on each slave terminal 16 as defined by the master administrator. Each slave terminal 16 also reads the particular GAMHDRxx.PTG file 186 necessary to configure the slave terminal 16 for the particular game to be played. The master processing unit 14 writes the GAMHDRxx.PTG files 186, one for each game supported, when the game is activated.
  • Referring to FIG. 19, a number of globally accessible data structures are also provided in the gaming system 10. These structures also correspond to the Other Files listed above and are located in the memory map of each master processing unit 14. The Game Map structure 190 consists of three records which relate games in the inventory stored at each master processing unit 14 to currently active games. The Game Configuration data structure 192 also consists of three records that provide detailed information about the active games on the system. The Game Configuration structure 192 thus includes the game name, form number, size, number of rows and columns, symbols, number of tickets remaining in the pool, the shuffled pool itself, and ticket definitions. There is also a Network State structure 194 that stores a representation of the state of each master processing unit's 14 local area network 20.
  • Data structures are also provided for validation and user identification. Two structures define the Validation Numbers 196 supplied when a player cashes out, as well as the Validation State 198. The Validation Numbers 196 consist of 1000 records comprising the outstanding validation numbers provided to players who have cashed out, as well as the remaining unassigned numbers. The Validation State 198 lists the next sequence number for a validation ticket and a modified julian date. The User file 200 consists of ten records including the names, passwords and access levels of each administrator, as well as unassigned numbers. A data structure also exists for the Time and Date 202.
  • Other structures in the gaming system 10 include a file for master processing unit 14 options, the state of each slave terminal 16 and command queues. The Master Option file 204 contains configurable options such as show cards, broadcast winners and shut down information. The Slave State records 206 describe the status of each slave terminal 16 with respect to the command/response cycle. The Command Queue 208 is a storage record for slave terminal commands including audit, shut down, reset and broadcast information, and is used in conjunction with the CMDRSP.PTG file 180 shown in FIG. 18.
  • In one preferred embodiment of the gaming system 10, a menu of commands/options is provided at the master processing units 14. After the gaming system 10 is initialized and the master administrator has completed logging onto the master processing unit 14, a menu routine is executed. The main options available on the menu include validation/administration commands, reporting functions and system service options. Commands displayed on the menu correspond to the programs and data files described above.
  • In one embodiment, the game symbols displayed on the back of a video ticket 164 are slightly larger than those displayed on the front of the ticket 164. As a result, two sets of symbol definitions are required for each game. In this embodiment, a file labeled FORMxxxx.FAC includes the graphics for the ticket face, and a file labeled FORMxxxx.BAC contains the graphics for the back of the video ticket 164. A third file, FORMxxxx.PAL, includes palette definitions.
  • As mentioned, the color monitor 110 displays the number of tickets 164 remaining in each game being played in a field 168 appearing on slave terminal color monitor 110 (FIG. 14). For each play that turns up a winner, therefore, a message in the form "WIN $XXX" appears on each color monitor 110. The game's six digit serial number also appears on the bottom of each display.
  • An editing mechanism is preferably provided to allow up to six messages to be communicated between each master processing unit 14 and the slave terminals 16 as defined in connection with the CMDRSP.PTG file 180. To ease implementation, each message is assigned a number from one to six. Further examples of the substance of such messages include: (1) "The facility is going to close"; (2) broadcast information about a winner; (3) "Ticket level low"; (4) a particular game is now closed; and (5) "We are closed . . . Goodnight". The master administrator controls distribution of these messages to each of the slave terminals 16 via the files defined above.
  • As stated, the master administrator also has access to some options that may be turned on or off as the administrator desires. Options accessible to the administrator are defined in the Master Options data structure 204 (FIG. 19), and include for example: (1) whether the slave terminal 16 displays to the player the number of plays remaining in a game; (2) whether winning ticket amounts are broadcast to other slave terminals 16; (3) the amount of time in which to display the closing announcement; (4) whether the low ticket level message should be broadcast, and if so, at what percentage of plays remaining; and (5) whether the optional printer 88 is attached to the master computer 70 (see FIG. 5).
  • Depending on whether the optional printer 88 is coupled to the master computer 70, the master administrator is capable of sending reports both to the printer 88 or to the monitor 82 (FIG. 5). Audit information is first displayed or printed for each slave terminal 16, and then a summary of all slave terminal 16 information is provided. This information can also be communicated over the modem 24 to the central game processor 12 in a preferred embodiment. Table 3 contains a general listing of the information contained in the audit reports.
    Game ID/Serial No. Each Slave Terminal 16
    Serial Number Game ID or serial Number
    Plays Remaining Starting Plays
    Date/Time of Report Plays Remaining
    Amount Left to Win Audit Information
    Information included for each slave terminal 16 includes the date and time the slave terminal 16 was initialized, the number of video tickets 164 played, the number of coins and bills received, the total amount bet and won, and the total amount cashed out.
  • The master administrator can preferably disable a game from the master processing unit 14 at any time. In addition, the master administrator can queue games to be automatically loaded after the game pool currently played is exhausted. If games are queued in this manner, the succeeding game will share the same form number as the game currently being played so that new game symbols need not be down-loaded to the slave terminal 16 while the game is in progress. Thus, the master administrator is capable of observing the status of the games being played, and also which games remain in the inventory of games stored at the master processing units 14. Games listed in the inventory are, therefore, turned on and made active by the master administrator.
  • The following tasks can be performed on-line at the master processing units 14, while games are being played: (1) display game status; (2) display slave terminal/network status; (3) disable a game; (4) display inventory; (5) edit system messages; and (6) queue like forms. The following tasks are performed off-line: (1) display/change system options/flags and send broadcast information; and (2) set up service/site information within a file.
  • Table 4 includes a preferred listing of the commands used in a preferred embodiment of the gaming system 10. As described above, commands are transmitted from the master processing units 14 to the slave terminals 16. Responses are transmitted from the slave terminals 16 to the master processing units 14.
    Command Definition
    CMD
    01 Transmit Status/Tickets Total & Remaining
    CMD 02 Receive Ticket/Symbol Definitions
    CMD
    03 Receive Validation # and $$$ Amount
    CMD 04 Receive Network Broadcast Information
    CMD
    05 Power Down Sequence
    CMD
    06 Copy Slave Audit Info. to AUDIT record
    CMD
    07 Requested Ticket Cannot Be Sent--Pool Empty
    CMD
    08 Initialize All Meters
    CMD 09 Initialize Period Meters only
    CMD 10 Request Denied
    CMD 11 Force Down Sequence
    CMD
    12 Restart Unit
  • Responses to the commands identified in Table 4 are set forth in Table 5. Responses to Commands #2, #3, #4 and #5 should be Response #1 indicated in Table 5. The response to Command #1 can be any of the responses appearing in Table 5.
    Response Definition
    RESP
    01 All is well
    RESP 02 Send a new ticket
    RESP
    03 Send a validation Number
    RESP
    04 Winning Ticket Just Displayed
    RESP 05 Power down acknowledge
    RESP 06 Send temporary validation number
  • Command #4 is the broadcast message command initiated at the master processing unit 14. The contents of the message to be displayed will have been previously defined and stored on the master processing unit 14 (in file SYSMSG.PTG 184). Command #5 is a power-down sequence command. In response to Command #5, the slave terminals 16 should display an appropriate message to the player, such as "PLEASE CASH OUT . . . WE ARE SHUTTING DOWN IN ( ) MINUTES . . ." After Command #5 has been sent, no more credits can be purchased. When the cash out transaction is completed, the slave terminals 16 should be placed out of service, i.e., not allowing any additional plays to be purchased or money to be inserted.
  • As mentioned, each master processing unit 14 requests status information from each slave terminal 16. Command #6 has been reserved for this purpose. In response to Command #6, the slave terminals 16 update the appropriate record in the AUDIT.PTG 182 file, and conclude with Response #1. The master processing unit 14 will then collate this data and display or print it for the system administrator.
  • Commands #7 and #8, when issued by the master processing unit 14, cause the slave terminals 16 to clear the appropriate software meters 64. A detailed description of the commands and data communicated over the local area network 20, and the responses received, appears below.
  • A. Command #1: Update Your Status
  • This command from the master processing unit 14 allows the slave terminal 16 to:
  • 1. Request a video ticket;
  • 2. Request a Validation Number;
  • 3. Know the total play count of a pool (BEGIN); or
  • 4. Know the current play count of a pool (LEFT).
  • 5. Transmit status.
  • Data Packet
  • Figure 00420001
  • For example, if Game #5 started with 3600 plays, and had 290 left, the data bytes would be filled out as follows:
    Figure 00420002
  • B. Response #1: All is well
  • This response indicates to the master processing unit 14 that the slave terminal 16 is operating normally, that a play has not been requested, and that a validation number is not required at this time. This is the correct response if:
  • 1. A video ticket has been successfully received;
  • 2. A validation number has been succesfully received;
  • 3. Meters have been successfully cleared;
  • 4. The requested message has been displayed; or
  • 5. Audit information is ready. Normally, for the program to transmit this response, it will be in response to Command #1.
  • Data Packet
  • Figure 00430001
  • C. Command #2: Receive a Video Ticket/Symbol Definition
  • This command from the master processing unit 14 results when a slave terminal 16 has previously transmitted the "SEND A TICKET" (Response #2) response. It allows the slave terminal 16 to receive and evaluate a new play from the requested pool of game plays. The Tabs and symbol windows (Wind) are defined as follows:
    Figure 00440001
  • If no window or tab exists for a particular game, the data should be set to 00, e.g., a 3-tab ticket with only 3 windows per tab.
  • Data Packet
  • Figure 00440002
    Figure 00450001
  • Symbols are ordered as follows:
    TAB A sym 01 sym 02 sym 03 sym 04 sym 05
    TAB B sym 06 sym 07 sym 08 sym 09 sym 10
    TAB C sym 11 sym 12 sym 13 sym 14 sym 15
    TAB D sym 16 sym 17 sym 18 sym 19 sym 20
    TAB E sym 21 sym 22 sym 23 sym 24 sym 25
  • In a pool having five total symbols, and a game with three tabs only, assume the following correlation has been defined:
       1=heart 2=club 3=spade 4=diamond 5=crown
    If the video ticket to be displayed looks like this:
    heart club heart
    club heart spade
    club spade diamond
    And the game number is 11:
    Figure 00450002
  • D. Response #2: Send a Ticket
  • This response will be transmitted to the master processing unit 14 if the player has made a valid request for a play. In this case, the player must have credits, and must have pressed the Play pushbutton 166.
  • Data Packet
  • Figure 00460001
  • E. Command #3: Receive a Validation Number
  • This command from the master processing unit 14 is generated in response to the slave terminal 16 sending Response #3 - Request Validation Number.
  • Data Packet
  • Figure 00460002
  • If the master processing unit 14 sends the validation number "0234AJUN93" for the amount of $10.50, the packet would appear as follows:
    Figure 00470001
    Note that unused codes are space filled (20H).
  • F. Response #3: Send a Validation Number
  • This response is transmitted to the master processing unit 14 if the player has made a valid request to cash out. In this case, the player must have credits, and must have hit the Cash Out pushbutton 172. The response also transmits the amount being cashed out. This information is preferably used by the master processing unit 14 to help create the validation number.
  • Data Packet
  • Figure 00480001
  • G. Command #4: Receive Broadcast Information
  • This command from the master processing unit 14 will transmit a message to one or more of the slave terminals 16. It will request that a message number previously stored in the slave terminal 16 be displayed on the screen. Up to two parameters can be inserted into the message. Where the message itself contains "ESC 1" or "ESC 2" characters the parameters are inserted in those positions. Bytes not displayed are encoded as 00H.
  • Data Packet
  • Figure 00480002
  • If message #5 was previously defined to be:
  • "We have a winner of $ESC 1 on MegaTab $ESC 2!!!" and the message to be displayed is:
  • "We have a winner of $100 on MegaTab 25!!!"
  • Then the following would be transmitted:
    Figure 00490001
  • Note that in this case, nulls (00 Hex) are used if that byte should not be displayed.
  • H. Command #5: Power Down Sequence
  • This command from the master processing unit 14 requests the slave terminal 16 to issue a "We are about to power down, please press cash out!" message. It will allow up to one parameter to be inserted into the message, e.g., the time until Power Down.
  • Data Packet
  • Figure 00490002
  • For example, if the Power Down time is five minutes ahead of when it actually will happen, then the following packet would be transmitted:
    Figure 00500001
  • I. Command #6: Update Audit Information
  • This command from the master processing unit 14 requests the slave terminal 16 to update its audit information located in file AUDIT.PTG 182.
  • Data Packet
  • Figure 00500002
  • J. Command #7: Requested Play Cannot Be Sent - Pool Empty
  • This command from the master processing unit 14 informs the slave terminal 16 that the last play recannot be filled.
  • Data Packet
  • Figure 00510001
  • K. Response #4: Winning Play Ticket Just Displayed
  • This response indicates to the master processing unit 14 that a slave terminal 16 has just displayed a winning play. (It is up to the administrator to decide whether to display this information.)
  • Data Packet
  • Figure 00510002
  • Table 6 includes a list of the make and model of elements employed in the presently preferred embodiment of the gaming system 10.
    Ref. # Item Description Manufacturer
    20 Local area network Lantastic Artisoft, Inc.
    44 Keyboard Type 101 Keytronics
    136 Printer Laser Printer Epson America, Inc.
    112 Printer 40-column printer Star Micronics, Inc.
    (N/A) Bios type Basic I/O System American Megatrends, Inc.
    146 Sound generator AY-3-8940 Yamaha Corp.
    148 Darlington Drive UNL-2003A Motorola, Inc.
    80 LAN Interface Lantastic Artisoft, Inc.
    102 LAN Interface Lantastic Artisoft, Inc.
    86 Keyboard Type 101 Keytronics
  • There has been described a computerized gaming system that provides fixed pools of games to be played by players on the system. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the gaming system is distributed between a central game processor, master processing units and slave terminals. The fixed pools of game plays are created at the central game processor and downloaded to the master processing units upon request. Through the slave terminals, players can purchase game plays from each fixed pool of plays received and stored at the master processing unit to which the slave is attached.
  • In the preferred embodiment, a game play corresponds to a video representation of a paper pull-tab lottery ticket. As in the paper pull-tab lottery game, a predetermined number of winning and losing tickets is established for each pool of game plays. Also, a predetermined dollar value for winning plays is included with each game pool. According to the invention, therefore, each player can purchase game plays from the entire fixed pool being stored at the master processing unit to which a slave terminal is connected. Since multiple slave terminals are contemplated for connection to each master processing unit, a single player may compete against other players located at similar slave terminals to purchase as many of the winning tickets in each fixed pool as possible.
  • The gaming system described above thus combines the advantages of paper lottery and wagering games with the popularity and attractiveness of the video game. As described, each player can compete directly with other players for the purchase of winning plays, thus providing an element of competition over the prior paper pull-tab lottery games. Since it is contemplated that slave terminals may be located either within the same location or remotely from one another, players can also compete with other players both locally and across great distances. The excitement, sounds and visual display inherent in a video game provides further attraction of the computer gaming system over the prior paper lottery type games.
  • The invention accordingly also provides a gaming system comprising:
  • a master processing unit having a memory device operative to store at least one fixed pool of game plays, each fixed pool having a predetermined number of winning plays; and
  • a plurality of slave terminals, each slave terminal coupled to communicate with the master processing unit and having a player-controlled selection device, each player-controlled selection device operative to request game plays from said fixed pool of game plays stored at the master processing unit.
  • In the gaming system defined above, a plurality of players can simultaneously operate the player-controlled selection devices provided on the plurality of slave terminals to purchase game plays from the entire fixed pool of game plays stored at the master processing unit.
  • The gaming system may further comprise a local area network for coupling the slave terminals to the master processing unit.
  • Each slave terminal may further comprise a processing element, a display, a local area network interface, and a wager deposit device.
  • The processing element may comprise a personal computer.
  • The player-controlled selection device may comprise a push-button.
  • The master processing unit may comprise a personal computer.
  • The master processing unit may comprise means for maintaining a record of the number of plays selected at each slave terminal from each fixed pool of game plays and the number of plays remaining in each fixed pool of game plays stored at the master processing unit.
  • The gaming system may further comprise a central game processor for generating the fixed pools of game plays, and a communication interface operative to supply the fixed pools of game plays to the master processing unit.
  • The central game processor may comprise means for supplying a new fixed pool of game plays to the master processing unit upon exhaustion of each fixed pool of game plays stored at the master processing unit.
  • The central game processor may comprise means for maintaining a record of the number of game plays remaining in each fixed pool of game plays and the number of winning plays remaining in each fixed pool of game plays.
  • The communication interface may comprise a telephone link, and the central game processor and master processing unit each comprise a modem.
  • The central game processor may further comprise a personal computer.
  • Each game play may comprise an electronically simulated pull-tab lottery ticket.
  • The invention also provides a gaming system comprising means for storing at least one fixed pool of game plays, each fixed pool having a predetermined number of winning plays; and
  • a plurality of slave means, coupled to the storing means, for requesting game plays from each fixed pool of game plays stored in the storing means.
  • The invention may also provide a gaming system comprising:
  • a master processing unit having a memory device operative to store at least one fixed pool of game plays, each fixed pool having a predetermined number of winning plays;
  • a plurality of slave terminals, each slave terminal having a player-controlled selection device operative to request game plays from each fixed pool of game plays stored at the master processing unit; and
  • a communication interface for coupling the slave terminals to the master processing unit.
  • The communication interface may comprise a local area network.
  • The invention may also provide a gaming system comprising:
  • a central game processor for generating a plurality of fixed pools of game plays, each fixed pool having a predetermined number of winning plays;
  • a plurality of master processing units, each master processing unit coupled to the central game processor through a communication interface to receive the fixed pools of game plays from the central game processor and having a memory device operative to store at least one fixed pool of game plays; and
  • a plurality of slave terminals coupled to communicate with each master processing unit, each slave terminal having a player-controlled selection device operative to request game plays from the fixed pool of game plays stored at the master processing unit.

Claims (2)

  1. A gaming system comprising a central game processor, master processing units and slave terminals, the central game processor being arranged for fixed pools of game plays to be created thereat and for downloading said fixed pools to the master processing units on request, and the slave terminals being arranged for players to purchase game plays from each fixed pool of plays received and stored at the master processing unit to which the slave terminal is attached.
  2. A gaming system comprising means for storing at least one fixed pool of game plays, the fixed pool containing a predefined number of winning plays, and a plurality of slave means coupled to the storing means each being for requesting game plays from the fixed pool of game plays stored in the storing means, the system being operative to distribute game plays from the fixed pool of game plays so that any game play from the fixed pool can be used only once.
EP98203851A 1992-12-01 1993-11-30 Video gaming system with fixed pool of winning plays and global pool access Expired - Lifetime EP0907136B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US988429 1992-12-01
US07/988,429 US5324035A (en) 1991-12-02 1992-12-01 Video gaming system with fixed pool of winning plays and global pool access
EP94903363A EP0627949B1 (en) 1992-12-01 1993-11-30 Video gaming system with fixed pool of winning plays and global pool access

Related Parent Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP94903363A Division EP0627949B1 (en) 1992-12-01 1993-11-30 Video gaming system with fixed pool of winning plays and global pool access

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0907136A1 true EP0907136A1 (en) 1999-04-07
EP0907136B1 EP0907136B1 (en) 2001-09-26

Family

ID=25534106

Family Applications (2)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP94903363A Expired - Lifetime EP0627949B1 (en) 1992-12-01 1993-11-30 Video gaming system with fixed pool of winning plays and global pool access
EP98203851A Expired - Lifetime EP0907136B1 (en) 1992-12-01 1993-11-30 Video gaming system with fixed pool of winning plays and global pool access

Family Applications Before (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP94903363A Expired - Lifetime EP0627949B1 (en) 1992-12-01 1993-11-30 Video gaming system with fixed pool of winning plays and global pool access

Country Status (10)

Country Link
US (1) US5324035A (en)
EP (2) EP0627949B1 (en)
AT (2) ATE206227T1 (en)
AU (1) AU5733394A (en)
CA (1) CA2128715C (en)
DE (2) DE69330843T2 (en)
DK (1) DK0627949T3 (en)
ES (2) ES2136187T3 (en)
GR (1) GR3031666T3 (en)
WO (1) WO1994012256A1 (en)

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1365367A2 (en) * 2002-05-20 2003-11-26 Barcrest Development B.V. Entertainment machines
US6719631B1 (en) 2000-03-16 2004-04-13 Walker Digital, Llc Systems and methods for determining a gaming system event parameter based on a player-established event parameter
US6773345B2 (en) * 2000-08-25 2004-08-10 Walker Digital, Llc Systems and methods for lottery game play aggregation
US7179168B1 (en) 1995-06-30 2007-02-20 Walker Digital, Llc Systems and methods for allocating an outcome amount among a total number of events
US7452270B2 (en) 2000-06-29 2008-11-18 Walker Digital, Llc Systems and methods for presenting an outcome amount via a total number of events
US7727063B2 (en) 2000-08-25 2010-06-01 Walker Digital, Llc Methods and apparatus for lottery game play aggregation

Families Citing this family (458)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5697844A (en) * 1986-03-10 1997-12-16 Response Reward Systems, L.C. System and method for playing games and rewarding successful players
US6048269A (en) 1993-01-22 2000-04-11 Mgm Grand, Inc. Coinless slot machine system and method
ZA943336B (en) * 1993-05-19 1995-08-11 Menashe Julian Interactive computerised gaming system with remote terminals
WO1995005876A1 (en) * 1993-08-27 1995-03-02 Christopher Russell Byrne Super keno
GB9321312D0 (en) * 1993-10-15 1993-12-08 Interactive Network Ltd Game playing system
US5398932A (en) * 1993-12-21 1995-03-21 Video Lottery Technologies, Inc. Video lottery system with improved site controller and validation unit
US5573244A (en) * 1994-02-28 1996-11-12 International Sports Wagering, Inc. System and method for wagering at fixed handicaps and/or odds on a sports event
RU95103479A (en) * 1994-03-11 1996-12-27 Уолкер Эссет Мэнеджмент Лимитед Партнершип (US) Game system, game computer, method for playing or drawing lottery when player participates in it
JPH07319810A (en) * 1994-04-01 1995-12-08 Fujitsu Ltd Network service system and communication equipment for game machine and the game machine capable of utilizing the network service system
US5586257A (en) * 1994-05-05 1996-12-17 Perlman; Stephen G. Network architecture to support multiple site real-time video games
EP0774186A4 (en) * 1994-05-05 2005-07-20 Catapult Entertainment Inc Network architecture for real-time video games
US5655961A (en) 1994-10-12 1997-08-12 Acres Gaming, Inc. Method for operating networked gaming devices
JP3325134B2 (en) * 1994-10-21 2002-09-17 パイオニア株式会社 Video game system
US5680534A (en) * 1994-10-31 1997-10-21 Nintendo Co., Ltd. Video game/videographics program fabricating system and method with superimpose control
US5592609A (en) * 1994-10-31 1997-01-07 Nintendo Co., Ltd. Video game/videographics program fabricating system and method with unit based program processing
US5599231A (en) * 1994-10-31 1997-02-04 Nintendo Co., Ltd. Security systems and methods for a videographics and authentication game/program fabricating device
US6115036A (en) * 1994-10-31 2000-09-05 Nintendo Co., Ltd. Video game/videographics program editing apparatus with program halt and data transfer features
US5680533A (en) * 1994-10-31 1997-10-21 Nintendo Co., Ltd. Videographics program/video game fabricating system and method
US5674128A (en) * 1995-02-21 1997-10-07 Oneida Indian Nation Cashless computerized video game system and method
US7329187B1 (en) 1995-02-21 2008-02-12 Oneida Indian Nation Cashless computerized video game system and method
US6280328B1 (en) 1996-09-25 2001-08-28 Oneida Indian Nation Cashless computerized video game system and method
US5611730A (en) * 1995-04-25 1997-03-18 Casino Data Systems Progressive gaming system tailored for use in multiple remote sites: apparatus and method
CA2150215C (en) * 1995-05-25 2003-02-25 John Xidos Distributed gaming system
US5871398A (en) 1995-06-30 1999-02-16 Walker Asset Management Limited Partnership Off-line remote system for lotteries and games of skill
US6402614B1 (en) 1995-06-30 2002-06-11 Walker Digital, Llc Off-line remote system for lotteries and games of skill
AU724858B2 (en) * 1995-06-30 2000-10-05 Walker Digital, Llc Off-line remote lottery system
US5679077A (en) * 1995-08-11 1997-10-21 Pocock; Terrence System and method for remote participation in bingo and other games of chance where players select numbers
US5540441A (en) * 1995-08-18 1996-07-30 Ilan; Aviv Lottery payoff method having pyramid scheme
AU704365B2 (en) * 1995-09-26 1999-04-22 Bytecraft Systems Pty. Ltd. Multivenue jackpot system
AUPN564395A0 (en) * 1995-09-26 1995-10-19 Bytecraft Systems Pty. Ltd. Multivenue jackpot system
AU704372B2 (en) * 1995-09-26 1999-04-22 Bytecraft Systems Pty. Ltd. Jackpot display system for an electronic gaming machine
AUPN564295A0 (en) * 1995-09-26 1995-10-19 Bytecraft Systems Pty. Ltd. Jackpot display system for an electronic gaming machine
US5830067A (en) * 1995-09-27 1998-11-03 Multimedia Games, Inc. Proxy player machine
US5688174A (en) * 1995-10-06 1997-11-18 Kennedy; Julian J. Multiplayer interactive video gaming device
DE19602626C2 (en) * 1996-01-25 2000-11-16 Software 4 You Gmbh Procedure for exchanging data during a league game
DE19610840C2 (en) * 1996-03-19 2000-04-13 Siemens Ag Method for loading electronic games onto a mobile communication terminal of a mobile communication network
EP0965084A1 (en) 1996-03-21 1999-12-22 MPATH Interactive Inc. Network match maker for selecting clients based on attributes of servers and communication links
US5759103A (en) * 1996-03-22 1998-06-02 New Gaming Systems, Inc. Apparatus for collecting and processing video slot transactions
US6015344A (en) * 1996-04-05 2000-01-18 Rlt Acquisition, Inc. Prize redemption system for games
AU2439097A (en) * 1996-04-05 1997-10-29 Rlt Acquisitions, Inc. Prize redemption system for games
US5816918A (en) * 1996-04-05 1998-10-06 Rlt Acquistion, Inc. Prize redemption system for games
US6134590A (en) * 1996-04-16 2000-10-17 Webtv Networks, Inc. Method and apparatus for automatically connecting devices to a local network
US5746656A (en) * 1996-04-23 1998-05-05 Bezick; William Video game competition method and apparatus
US5810666A (en) * 1996-05-08 1998-09-22 Mero; George T. Role playing game
TW372297B (en) * 1996-05-10 1999-10-21 David M Barcelou League device and automated transaction machine
US6945457B1 (en) * 1996-05-10 2005-09-20 Transaction Holdings Ltd. L.L.C. Automated transaction machine
US6175854B1 (en) 1996-06-11 2001-01-16 Ameritech Services, Inc. Computer system architecture and method for multi-user, real-time applications
US6244958B1 (en) 1996-06-25 2001-06-12 Acres Gaming Incorporated Method for providing incentive to play gaming devices connected by a network to a host computer
US5647592A (en) * 1996-08-02 1997-07-15 Zdi Gaming Method, apparatus and pull-tab gaming set for use in a progressive pull-tab game
US5766074A (en) * 1996-08-06 1998-06-16 Video Lottery Technologies Device and method for displaying a final gaming result
US5833540A (en) * 1996-09-24 1998-11-10 United Games, Inc. Cardless distributed video gaming system
US7801736B1 (en) 2000-10-13 2010-09-21 Wms Gaming, Inc. System, method, and article of manufacture for locating and communicating with a patron at a hospitality facility
US7022017B1 (en) 1996-09-25 2006-04-04 Oneida Indian Nation Interactive resort operating system
US6306038B1 (en) 1996-09-27 2001-10-23 Multimedia Games, Inc. Gaming system for remote players
US5797016A (en) * 1996-10-29 1998-08-18 Cheyenne Software Inc. Regeneration agent for back-up software
US8235821B2 (en) 1996-11-14 2012-08-07 Bally Gaming, Inc. Progressive controller and TCP/IP in gaming system
US6454648B1 (en) 1996-11-14 2002-09-24 Rlt Acquisition, Inc. System, method and article of manufacture for providing a progressive-type prize awarding scheme in an intermittently accessed network game environment
US6758755B2 (en) 1996-11-14 2004-07-06 Arcade Planet, Inc. Prize redemption system for games executed over a wide area network
US7806763B2 (en) * 1996-12-30 2010-10-05 Igt System and method for remote automated play of a gaming device
US20030064807A1 (en) * 2001-09-25 2003-04-03 Walker Jay S. Method and apparatus for linked play gaming
US6712699B2 (en) 1998-03-31 2004-03-30 Walker Digital, Llc Apparatus and method for facilitating team play of slot machines
US6964611B2 (en) * 1996-12-30 2005-11-15 Walker Digital, Llc System and method for automated play of lottery games
US6634942B2 (en) * 1996-12-30 2003-10-21 Jay S. Walker System and method for automated play of multiple gaming devices
US20060035697A1 (en) * 1996-12-30 2006-02-16 Packes John M Systems and methods for facilitating play of lottery games
US9489800B2 (en) 1996-12-30 2016-11-08 Igt Applications for gaming devices in a networked environment
US6312332B1 (en) 1998-03-31 2001-11-06 Walker Digital, Llc Method and apparatus for team play of slot machines
US7476153B2 (en) * 1996-12-30 2009-01-13 Walker Digital, Llc System and method for remote automated play of a gaming device
US6206782B1 (en) * 1998-09-14 2001-03-27 Walker Digital, Llc. System and method for facilitating casino team play
US6142872A (en) 1998-03-31 2000-11-07 Walker Digital, Llc Method and apparatus for team play of slot machines
US7364510B2 (en) 1998-03-31 2008-04-29 Walker Digital, Llc Apparatus and method for facilitating team play of slot machines
US20030054879A1 (en) 1996-12-31 2003-03-20 Bruce Schneier System and method for securing electronic games
US6099408A (en) * 1996-12-31 2000-08-08 Walker Digital, Llc Method and apparatus for securing electronic games
US9495824B2 (en) * 1997-02-07 2016-11-15 Aim Management, Inc. Lottery system/electronic gaming device interface and gambling game
US6379251B1 (en) 1997-02-24 2002-04-30 Realtime Media System and method for increasing click through rates of internet banner advertisements
US8087996B2 (en) * 1997-03-21 2012-01-03 Igt Method and apparatus for providing a complimentary service to a player
US8360865B2 (en) 1997-03-21 2013-01-29 Igt Method and apparatus for providing a complimentary service to a player
US6012984A (en) * 1997-04-11 2000-01-11 Gamesville.Com,Inc. Systems for providing large arena games over computer networks
US6038599A (en) * 1997-04-23 2000-03-14 Mpath Interactive, Inc. Latency server and matchmaker
US6023729A (en) * 1997-05-05 2000-02-08 Mpath Interactive, Inc. Method and apparatus for match making
FR2763254A1 (en) * 1997-05-15 1998-11-20 Franck Poncin Portable memory device holding results of gambling games
FR2763253A1 (en) * 1997-05-15 1998-11-20 Franck Poncin Portable electronic device for recording and displaying gaming results
US6309298B1 (en) * 1997-07-22 2001-10-30 Zdi Gaming, Inc. Method, apparatus and gaming set for use in a progressive game
US5944606A (en) * 1997-07-22 1999-08-31 Zdi Gaming, Inc. Method, apparatus and pull-tab gaming set for use in a progressive pull-tab game
US6168521B1 (en) 1997-09-12 2001-01-02 Robert A. Luciano Video lottery game
US8021222B2 (en) 1997-12-31 2011-09-20 Igt Game based on speed of play
GB2333879A (en) * 1998-01-31 1999-08-04 Robert Ashley Simms Gaming machine network
US7850522B2 (en) * 1998-03-31 2010-12-14 Igt Apparatus, systems and methods for facilitating a payout of a gaming device
US7695358B2 (en) * 1998-03-31 2010-04-13 Walker Digital, Llc Method and apparatus for team play of slot machines
AU2005200036B2 (en) * 1998-04-28 2007-07-05 Igt A Method for Facilitating Transfer of Credit Between Gaming Devices
US6371852B1 (en) 1998-04-28 2002-04-16 Acres Gaming Incorporated Method for crediting a player of an electronic gaming device
US6375567B1 (en) 1998-04-28 2002-04-23 Acres Gaming Incorporated Method and apparatus for implementing in video a secondary game responsive to player interaction with a primary game
US6183361B1 (en) * 1998-06-05 2001-02-06 Leisure Time Technology, Inc. Finite and pari-mutual video keno
US6231445B1 (en) 1998-06-26 2001-05-15 Acres Gaming Inc. Method for awarding variable bonus awards to gaming machines over a network
US6358149B1 (en) 1998-09-11 2002-03-19 Acres Gaming Incorporated Dynamic threshold for pool-based bonus promotions in electronic gaming systems
US6368218B2 (en) * 1998-10-28 2002-04-09 Gtech Rhode Island Corporation Interactive gaming system
FI109278B (en) 1998-11-25 2002-06-28 Veikkaus Ab Oy Method and arrangement for organizing electronic instant lottery
US6257980B1 (en) * 1998-12-24 2001-07-10 B.I.S., L.L.C. Method and apparatus for identifying a winner in a bingo game
US6099407A (en) * 1999-01-06 2000-08-08 Parker Gaming Progressive bingo
US6241606B1 (en) 1999-02-12 2001-06-05 Gtech Rhode Island Corporation Electronic instant ticket lottery system and method
US6685563B1 (en) 1999-03-05 2004-02-03 John P. Meekins Programmable bonus gaming device having coin-in threhold criteria adapted for interconnection with conventional gaming device
US6537150B1 (en) 1999-03-29 2003-03-25 Sierra Design Group Gaming devices having reverse-mapped game set
US6220961B1 (en) * 1999-04-22 2001-04-24 Multimedia Games, Inc. Multi-level lottery-type gaming method and apparatus
GB2356149B (en) 1999-07-15 2004-01-21 Oasis Technologies Inc Lottery system
US6309299B1 (en) * 1999-09-13 2001-10-30 Steve Weiss Gaming device and method for individual, head to head and tournament play
US6746330B2 (en) 1999-09-21 2004-06-08 Igt Method and device for implementing a coinless gaming environment
AUPQ317299A0 (en) * 1999-09-29 1999-10-21 Aristocrat Leisure Industries Pty Ltd Multiple venue jackpot system
US6716103B1 (en) 1999-10-07 2004-04-06 Nintendo Co., Ltd. Portable game machine
JP3288665B2 (en) * 1999-11-08 2002-06-04 コナミ株式会社 Game system
US7416484B1 (en) * 1999-11-29 2008-08-26 Bally Gaming, Inc. Simulated bonus method in finite-pool award system
US6524184B1 (en) * 2000-01-10 2003-02-25 Multimedia Games, Inc. Multi-level lottery-type gaming system with player-selected second level game
US6358151B1 (en) 2000-02-14 2002-03-19 Multimedia Games, Inc. System for facilitating game play in an electronic lottery game network
US6733385B1 (en) 2000-02-14 2004-05-11 Multimedia Games, Inc. Apparatus, method, and program product for facilitating game play in an electronic lottery game network
US6702668B2 (en) 2000-02-16 2004-03-09 Frank B. Banyai Match number game
US6913534B2 (en) 2000-03-02 2005-07-05 Defrees-Parrott Troy Gaming machine having a lottery game and capability for integration with gaming device accounting system and player tracking system
US6533664B1 (en) 2000-03-07 2003-03-18 Igt Gaming system with individualized centrally generated random number generator seeds
US6419583B1 (en) * 2000-05-24 2002-07-16 International Game Technology Large prize central management
US7056217B1 (en) * 2000-05-31 2006-06-06 Nintendo Co., Ltd. Messaging service for video game systems with buddy list that displays game being played
WO2001093967A1 (en) 2000-06-02 2001-12-13 Gtech Rhode Island Corporation Game of chance with multiple paths on a virtual scratch ticket
AU2001272284A1 (en) * 2000-07-14 2002-01-30 Labtronix Concept Inc. Gaming machine system using virtual tickets
US7811168B2 (en) * 2000-07-25 2010-10-12 Gaming Enhancement, Inc. Random pay gaming system using weighting function with maximum, minimum, and average value
US7454363B1 (en) 2000-08-03 2008-11-18 Igt Method and apparatus for voucher sorting and reconciliation in soft count process
US8096555B1 (en) * 2000-08-31 2012-01-17 Karaway Gaming Method of conducting a wagering game with continuous depletion
US7425178B1 (en) * 2000-08-31 2008-09-16 Wayne Odom Live and electronic wagering and lottery game
US7431648B2 (en) * 2000-08-31 2008-10-07 Karaway Gaming Method of conducting a wagering game with continuous depletion
US7273415B2 (en) 2000-09-07 2007-09-25 Igt Gaming device having a bonus scheme with multiple selection groups
US20070072677A1 (en) * 2000-10-13 2007-03-29 Lavoie James R Systems and methods for gaming from an off-site location
US8317616B2 (en) * 2000-10-13 2012-11-27 Rite-Solutions, Inc. System, method, and article of manufacture for multi-player gaming from an off-site location
US7128652B1 (en) 2000-10-13 2006-10-31 Oneida Indian Nation System, method, and article of manufacture for gaming from an off-site location
US6599185B1 (en) 2000-10-16 2003-07-29 Igt Gaming device having a multiple selection and award distribution bonus scheme
US6899622B2 (en) * 2000-10-23 2005-05-31 Multimedia Games, Inc. Electronic pull tab gaming system
US6729961B1 (en) 2000-11-03 2004-05-04 Igt Method for displaying an interactive game having a pre-determined outcome
US6991541B2 (en) 2000-12-08 2006-01-31 Multimedia Games, Inc. Lottery ticket distribution system
US6969320B2 (en) * 2001-01-10 2005-11-29 Multimedia Games, Inc. Distributed account based gaming system
US6599188B2 (en) 2001-01-17 2003-07-29 Parker Gaming Progressive bingo
US6802776B2 (en) * 2001-01-30 2004-10-12 Multimedia Games, Inc. Method and program product for producing and using game play records in a bingo-type game
US6663492B2 (en) * 2001-04-03 2003-12-16 Keith L Thompson Game assistant
US7695361B2 (en) * 2001-04-18 2010-04-13 Multimedia Games, Inc. Prize assignment method and program product for bingo-type games
US6780108B1 (en) * 2001-05-08 2004-08-24 Sierra Design Group Networked multiple bingo game system
US8087988B2 (en) 2001-06-15 2012-01-03 Igt Personal gaming device and method of presenting a game
US7918728B2 (en) * 2001-06-15 2011-04-05 Igt Personal gaming device and method of presenting a game
US8282475B2 (en) 2001-06-15 2012-10-09 Igt Virtual leash for personal gaming device
US6991544B2 (en) 2001-06-21 2006-01-31 Bally Gaming International, Inc. Method, apparatus and article for hierarchical wagering
US20030013530A1 (en) * 2001-07-12 2003-01-16 Telecents Communications Inc. Lottery club system
US7083517B2 (en) * 2001-07-17 2006-08-01 American Wagering, Inc. Remote wagering system
US7727070B2 (en) 2001-09-28 2010-06-01 Igt Method and apparatus for authenticating and verifying communication on a network of gaming devices
AU2002331915B2 (en) 2001-09-28 2006-08-10 Igt System for awarding a bonus to a gaming device on a wide area network
US6846238B2 (en) * 2001-09-28 2005-01-25 Igt Wireless game player
US8147334B2 (en) * 2003-09-04 2012-04-03 Jean-Marie Gatto Universal game server
US8734226B2 (en) * 2001-12-12 2014-05-27 Bgc Partners, Inc. Systems and methods for assisting in game play and wagering
US7452273B2 (en) 2001-12-12 2008-11-18 Cantor Index, Llc Method and apparatus for providing advice regarding gaming strategies
US8262454B2 (en) * 2001-12-20 2012-09-11 Multimedia Games, Inc. Gaming system, machine and method with user selectable game interactive mode
US20030125101A1 (en) * 2001-12-28 2003-07-03 Arrow International, Inc. Concurrent, combinational, interactive games played on electronic gaming devices
JP3989902B2 (en) * 2002-02-07 2007-10-10 富士通株式会社 Lottery transaction processing method and apparatus, and lottery transaction processing program
AUPS050202A0 (en) * 2002-02-12 2002-03-07 Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Limited Gaming machine pathways with unpredictable outcome
GB0203519D0 (en) * 2002-02-14 2002-04-03 Waterleaf Ltd Control system
US20030171986A1 (en) * 2002-03-05 2003-09-11 Yuri Itkis Linked promotional bingo game
JP3466596B2 (en) * 2002-03-13 2003-11-10 コナミ株式会社 Network game system
US20030178771A1 (en) * 2002-03-21 2003-09-25 Banyai Frank B. Bingo game and card
AU2003230946A1 (en) * 2002-04-19 2003-11-03 Walker Digital, Llc Method and apparatus for linked play gaming with combined outcomes and shared indicia
US20160136511A9 (en) 2002-05-20 2016-05-19 Bally Gaming, Inc. Four Card Poker Game with Variable Wager
US9126102B2 (en) 2002-05-20 2015-09-08 Bally Gaming, Inc. Four-card poker game with variable wager
US7485043B2 (en) 2002-06-19 2009-02-03 Igt Elimination games for gaming machines
US6884174B2 (en) * 2002-06-26 2005-04-26 Igt Communication protocol for gaming system configuration
EP1550075A2 (en) * 2002-07-23 2005-07-06 Scientific Games Corporation Marketing analysis and planning system and method
US8038519B1 (en) * 2002-07-30 2011-10-18 Bally Gaming, Inc. Raffle game system and method
US20040023713A1 (en) * 2002-07-31 2004-02-05 Wolf Bryan D. Gaming device having a paytable with direct control over distribution of outcomes
US7967675B1 (en) * 2002-08-22 2011-06-28 Bally Gaming, Inc. Fixed pool bonus method and apparatus
US7431649B2 (en) * 2002-09-12 2008-10-07 Igt Gaming device having a wheel with multiple indicators
US7806760B2 (en) * 2002-09-12 2010-10-05 Igt Gaming device having a multiple selectable indicator game
US7306519B2 (en) * 2002-09-12 2007-12-11 Igt Gaming device having free game keno
US8454428B2 (en) * 2002-09-12 2013-06-04 Wms Gaming Inc. Gaming machine performing real-time 3D rendering of gaming events
US20040053677A1 (en) * 2002-09-12 2004-03-18 Hughs-Baird Andrea C. Gaming device having a scatter pay symbol
US20050021492A1 (en) * 2002-09-13 2005-01-27 Aman Safaei On-line sales analysis system and method
US7104889B2 (en) * 2002-09-13 2006-09-12 Igt Method of using a rule based script to describe gaming machine payout
US20040152516A1 (en) * 2002-09-18 2004-08-05 Incredible Technologies, Inc. Data delivery and management system and method for game machines
US7563163B2 (en) * 2002-10-01 2009-07-21 Igt Gaming device including outcome pools for providing game outcomes
US7001278B2 (en) * 2002-10-11 2006-02-21 Igt Gaming device having apparent and final awards
US8066561B1 (en) * 2002-10-15 2011-11-29 Olympian Gaming Llc Methods for playing competitive wagering games
GB2395915A (en) 2002-12-05 2004-06-09 Revahertz Networks Inc A bingo-like game
GB2412882A (en) * 2002-12-23 2005-10-12 Gametech International Inc Enhanced gaming system
AU2004209909B2 (en) * 2003-02-03 2010-03-18 Scientific Games, Llc Game of chance and system and method for playing game of chance
US6866584B2 (en) * 2003-02-21 2005-03-15 Igt Apparatus and method for generating a pool of seeds for a central determination gaming system
US7329183B2 (en) * 2003-02-21 2008-02-12 Igt Central determination gaming system where the same seed is used to generate the outcomes for a primary game and a secondary game
US6988946B2 (en) * 2003-02-21 2006-01-24 Igt Central determination gaming system with a central controller providing a game outcome and a gaming terminal determining a presentation of the provided game outcome
WO2004079671A2 (en) * 2003-03-04 2004-09-16 Walker, Digital, Llc Multiplayer gaming device and methods
US7291069B2 (en) 2003-03-06 2007-11-06 Igt Central determination gaming system with a game outcome generated by a gaming terminal and approved by a central controller
US7963843B2 (en) * 2003-03-28 2011-06-21 Oneida Indian Nation Cashless gaming system and method with monitoring
US7628703B2 (en) * 2003-05-08 2009-12-08 Igt Central determination gaming system with a gaming terminal assisting the central controller in the generation of a game outcome
US7192348B2 (en) * 2003-05-20 2007-03-20 Igt Central determination gaming system which provides a player a choice in outcomes
US7399227B2 (en) * 2003-06-23 2008-07-15 Igt Central determination gaming system with a keno game
US8043152B2 (en) 2003-07-03 2011-10-25 Igt Methods and system for providing paper-based outcomes
US20050037827A1 (en) * 2003-08-11 2005-02-17 Perkins David M. Computerized trivia game having golf environment
US20050037834A1 (en) * 2003-08-11 2005-02-17 Stern Kenneth O. Apparatus and method for memorization poker
US7470186B2 (en) * 2003-08-12 2008-12-30 Igt Gaming device having a game with sequential display of numbers
US7717788B2 (en) * 2003-08-14 2010-05-18 Harrah's Entertainment, Inc. Progressive promotional marketing system
US20050043079A1 (en) * 2003-08-20 2005-02-24 Sming Huang System and method for assigning prizes in a bingo-type game
US6991538B2 (en) * 2003-09-10 2006-01-31 Igt Gaming device having a card game with negative impact cards
US20050054415A1 (en) * 2003-09-10 2005-03-10 Kaminkow Joseph E. Gaming device having matching game with dual random generating and player picking of symbols
US8057292B2 (en) 2003-09-15 2011-11-15 Igt Draw bingo
US8512144B2 (en) 2003-10-20 2013-08-20 Tipping Point Group, Llc Method and apparatus for providing secondary gaming machine functionality
US20050096119A1 (en) * 2003-10-29 2005-05-05 Clifton Lind Method, apparatus, and program product for conducting bingo games with pre-assigned bingo cards and pre-matched bingo card sets
US20050124403A1 (en) * 2003-12-03 2005-06-09 Bingo Innovation Software Method and apparatus for identifying a winner in a bingo game
US20050124402A1 (en) * 2003-12-04 2005-06-09 Randy Miller Methods of playing games of chance and gaming devices with temporally limited or sequentially limited chances for enhanced payouts activated by winning outcomes
US20050124408A1 (en) * 2003-12-08 2005-06-09 Vlazny Kenneth A. Systems and methods for accessing, manipulating and using funds associated with pari-mutuel wagering
US7749078B2 (en) * 2003-12-08 2010-07-06 United Tote Company Systems and methods for accessing, manipulating and using funds associated with pari-mutuel wagering
US8128485B2 (en) * 2003-12-08 2012-03-06 United Tote Company Systems and methods for accessing, manipulating and using funds associated with lottery-type games
US7922585B2 (en) * 2003-12-08 2011-04-12 United Tote Company Methods and systems for communicating parimutuel wager details and results
US7708639B2 (en) * 2003-12-17 2010-05-04 Multimedia Games, Inc. Progressive gaming method, apparatus, and program product for lottery-type gaming systems
US8092303B2 (en) 2004-02-25 2012-01-10 Cfph, Llc System and method for convenience gaming
US7637810B2 (en) 2005-08-09 2009-12-29 Cfph, Llc System and method for wireless gaming system with alerts
US8616967B2 (en) 2004-02-25 2013-12-31 Cfph, Llc System and method for convenience gaming
US7534169B2 (en) 2005-07-08 2009-05-19 Cfph, Llc System and method for wireless gaming system with user profiles
US20070060358A1 (en) 2005-08-10 2007-03-15 Amaitis Lee M System and method for wireless gaming with location determination
US7811172B2 (en) 2005-10-21 2010-10-12 Cfph, Llc System and method for wireless lottery
AU2005237996A1 (en) * 2004-04-16 2005-11-10 Gamelogic, Inc. System and method for conducting a game
US7476155B2 (en) * 2004-04-23 2009-01-13 Multimedia Games, Inc. Gaming apparatus and method for providing enhanced player participation in lottery games
US7566270B2 (en) * 2004-04-29 2009-07-28 Cfph, Llc System and method for wagering based on multiple financial market indicators
US20050250569A1 (en) * 2004-05-07 2005-11-10 Kane Steven N Method and apparatus for conducting a game of chance
US8029361B2 (en) * 2004-05-07 2011-10-04 Gamelogic Inc. Method and apparatus for providing player incentives
US8425300B2 (en) 2004-05-07 2013-04-23 Scientific Games Holdings Limited Method and apparatus of conducting a game of chance including bingo
US7771264B2 (en) 2004-05-07 2010-08-10 Gamelogic Inc. Method and apparatus for conducting a wagering game of chance including a prize wheel game
US9129476B2 (en) 2004-05-07 2015-09-08 Scientific Games Holdings Limited Method and apparatus for providing player incentives
US8157635B2 (en) * 2004-05-07 2012-04-17 Scientific Games Holdings Limited Method and apparatus for providing player incentives
US8512134B2 (en) 2004-05-07 2013-08-20 Dow K. Hardy Method and apparatus for providing player incentives
US8047907B2 (en) 2004-05-07 2011-11-01 Scientific Games Holdings Limited Method and apparatus for conducting a game of chance using pull-tab tickets
US7959502B2 (en) 2004-05-07 2011-06-14 Gamelogic Inc. Method of playing a game of chance including a computer-based game
US8038529B2 (en) * 2004-05-07 2011-10-18 Gamelogic, Inc. Method and apparatus for conducting a game of chance
US7666082B2 (en) * 2004-05-07 2010-02-23 Gamelogic Inc. Method and apparatus for conducting a game of chance
US7819747B2 (en) * 2004-05-07 2010-10-26 Gamelogic Inc. Method and apparatus for conducting a game of chance
US8025567B2 (en) * 2004-05-07 2011-09-27 Gamelogic Inc. Method and apparatus for conducting a game of chance
US8109828B2 (en) * 2004-05-07 2012-02-07 Scientific Games Holdings Limited System and method for playing a game having online and offline elements
US7976374B2 (en) 2004-05-07 2011-07-12 Gamelogic, Inc. Method and apparatus for conducting a game of chance
US8512133B2 (en) 2004-05-07 2013-08-20 Scientific Games Holdings Limited Method and apparatus for providing player incentives
US8727867B2 (en) 2004-05-07 2014-05-20 Scientific Games Holdings Limited Method and apparatus for conducting a first and second level game and a game of chance
US8100759B2 (en) 2004-05-07 2012-01-24 Scientific Games Holdings Limited Method and apparatus for providing player incentives
US8047917B2 (en) 2004-05-07 2011-11-01 Scientific Games Holdings Limited Method and apparatus for conducting a game of chance
US7815502B2 (en) 2004-05-07 2010-10-19 Gamelogic Inc. Method and apparatus for conducting a game of chance
US8425297B2 (en) 2004-05-07 2013-04-23 Scientific Games Holdings Limited Method and apparatus for conducting a game of chance including a ticket
US8845409B2 (en) * 2004-05-07 2014-09-30 Scientific Games Holdings Limited Method and apparatus for reinvesting winnings
US7766739B2 (en) 2004-05-07 2010-08-03 Gamelogic, Inc. Method and apparatus for conducting a game of chance
US7470183B2 (en) * 2004-06-15 2008-12-30 Igt Finite pool gaming method and apparatus
US8366531B2 (en) * 2004-07-06 2013-02-05 Igt Methods and systems for determining and selling wagering game outcomes to be viewed remotely
US7846017B2 (en) * 2004-07-06 2010-12-07 Igt Methods and apparatus for facilitating remote viewing of gaming outcomes
US8123606B2 (en) * 2004-07-30 2012-02-28 Igt Stud bingo
US7695359B2 (en) 2004-07-30 2010-04-13 Igt “Buy a peek” gaming methods and devices
US7955170B2 (en) 2004-07-30 2011-06-07 Igt Providing non-bingo outcomes for a bingo game
US8814652B2 (en) 2004-07-30 2014-08-26 Igt Bingo game with multicard patterns
ZA200701717B (en) 2004-08-03 2008-09-25 Wagerworks Inc Gaming method and device involving progressive wagers
US7357715B2 (en) * 2004-08-03 2008-04-15 Gamelogic, Inc. System and method for playing a role-playing game
US7892093B2 (en) 2004-08-19 2011-02-22 Igt Gaming system having multiple gaming machines which provide bonus awards
US8021230B2 (en) 2004-08-19 2011-09-20 Igt Gaming system having multiple gaming machines which provide bonus awards
US8251791B2 (en) 2004-08-19 2012-08-28 Igt Gaming system having multiple gaming machines which provide bonus awards
US7963847B2 (en) 2004-08-19 2011-06-21 Igt Gaming system having multiple gaming machines which provide bonus awards
US7607977B2 (en) 2004-08-19 2009-10-27 Igt Gaming system having multiple gaming machines which provide bonus awards
US20060040727A1 (en) * 2004-08-20 2006-02-23 Clifton Lind Bingo system with dynamic game play result ordering
US7837545B2 (en) 2004-09-03 2010-11-23 Igt Gaming device having an interactive poker game with predetermined outcomes
US20060284376A1 (en) 2005-06-17 2006-12-21 Shuffle Master, Inc. Casino table variant of Texas hold'em poker
US7909692B2 (en) * 2004-09-10 2011-03-22 Igt Apparatus for pre-determined game outcomes
US9183705B2 (en) 2004-09-10 2015-11-10 Bally Gaming, Inc. Methods of playing wagering games
US20060068895A1 (en) * 2004-09-10 2006-03-30 Nguyen Binh T Apparatus for pre-determined game outcomes
US8590900B2 (en) 2004-09-10 2013-11-26 Shfl Entertainment, Inc. Methods of playing wagering games
US9373220B2 (en) 2004-09-10 2016-06-21 Bally Gaming, Inc. Methods of playing wagering games and related apparatuses
US7524243B2 (en) * 2004-09-21 2009-04-28 Igt Central determination poker game
US7553230B2 (en) * 2004-09-28 2009-06-30 Igt Gaming device having matching game with improved display
US7740536B2 (en) * 2004-09-29 2010-06-22 Igt Gaming device having player selection of scatter pay symbol positions
US7780169B2 (en) * 2004-11-24 2010-08-24 Diamond Game Enterprises, Inc. Pull-tab poker game and pull-tab poker game wagering system
AU2005311913A1 (en) * 2004-11-30 2006-06-08 Gamelogic Inc. Electronic game scripting and auditing
US7837547B2 (en) * 2004-12-14 2010-11-23 Igt Gaming device having a wagering game wherein a wager amount is automatically determined based on a quantity of player selections
US7575517B2 (en) 2004-12-15 2009-08-18 Gaming Enhancements, Inc. Techniques for generating random awards using a plurality of average values
US20060142079A1 (en) * 2004-12-29 2006-06-29 Igt Universal progressive game pool
US7476152B2 (en) * 2004-12-30 2009-01-13 Multimedia Games, Inc. High volume electronic lottery ticket distribution system
US7815500B2 (en) 2005-01-07 2010-10-19 Igt Gaming device having a predetermined result poker game
ZA200706913B (en) * 2005-01-18 2008-11-26 Gtech Corp Flexible online instant Lottery Game
US20060166729A1 (en) * 2005-01-27 2006-07-27 Igt Lottery and gaming systems with electronic instant win games
US7887404B2 (en) * 2005-01-27 2011-02-15 Igt Lottery and gaming systems with single representation for multiple instant win game outcomes
US9105146B2 (en) 2005-01-31 2015-08-11 Igt Central determination offer and acceptance game with multiplier
US7980947B2 (en) 2005-02-16 2011-07-19 Igt Flexible determination of progressive awards
CA2645562A1 (en) * 2005-03-11 2006-09-21 Gamelogic Inc. System and method for rewarding game players
US7775875B2 (en) * 2005-04-18 2010-08-17 Igt Gaming methods and systems
WO2006122044A2 (en) * 2005-05-06 2006-11-16 Gaming Enhancements, Inc. Techniques for awarding random rewards in a reward program
US8353757B2 (en) * 2005-05-27 2013-01-15 Igt Methods and systems for representing outcomes of a casino game in a non-casino game format
US10510214B2 (en) 2005-07-08 2019-12-17 Cfph, Llc System and method for peer-to-peer wireless gaming
US8070604B2 (en) 2005-08-09 2011-12-06 Cfph, Llc System and method for providing wireless gaming as a service application
US20070015573A1 (en) * 2005-07-14 2007-01-18 Oneida Indian Nation Method and system for automated responsible gaming controls
US7850517B2 (en) * 2005-07-19 2010-12-14 Multimedia Games, Inc. Electronic lottery system for increasing the usage of tickets in a lottery game
US7614956B2 (en) * 2005-07-21 2009-11-10 Multimedia Games, Inc. Electronic lottery system with promotion prize distribution
US20070038466A1 (en) * 2005-08-11 2007-02-15 Multimedia Games, Inc. Electronic sweepstakes entry distribution system
US7658672B1 (en) 2005-08-18 2010-02-09 Igt Multi-play poker gaming system with predetermined game outcomes
US9640017B2 (en) 2005-08-31 2017-05-02 Igt Gaming system and method employing rankings of outcomes from multiple gaming machines to determine awards
US7500913B2 (en) 2005-09-06 2009-03-10 Igt Gaming system which provides multiple players multiple bonus awards
US7819745B2 (en) 2005-09-06 2010-10-26 Igt Gaming system which provides multiple players multiple bonus awards
US7753782B2 (en) 2005-09-06 2010-07-13 Igt Gaming system and method for providing multiple players multiple bonus awards
US7597621B2 (en) 2005-09-06 2009-10-06 Igt Gaming device having progressive awards and supplemental awards
US7828649B2 (en) 2005-09-06 2010-11-09 Igt Gaming system and method for providing group play with divided bonus features
US8137188B2 (en) 2005-09-09 2012-03-20 Igt Server based gaming system having multiple progressive awards
US7568973B2 (en) 2005-09-09 2009-08-04 Igt Server based gaming system having multiple progressive awards
US8113939B2 (en) 2005-09-09 2012-02-14 Igt Gaming device and method providing relatively large awards with variable player participation levels
US8128491B2 (en) 2005-09-09 2012-03-06 Igt Server based gaming system having multiple progressive awards
US7841939B2 (en) 2005-09-09 2010-11-30 Igt Server based gaming system having multiple progressive awards
US8814669B2 (en) 2005-12-08 2014-08-26 Igt Systems and methods for post-play gaming benefits
US7878900B2 (en) * 2005-12-14 2011-02-01 Multimedia Games, Inc. Electronic sweepstakes system providing multiple game presentations for revealing results from a single sweepstakes game
US20070155468A1 (en) * 2005-12-27 2007-07-05 Mark Olmstead Method and apparatus for conducting a sweepstakes
US8118667B2 (en) 2006-02-08 2012-02-21 Scientific Games Holdings Limited Multiplayer gaming incentive
EP2022017A4 (en) * 2006-02-08 2011-06-01 Gamelogic Inc Method and system for remote entry in frequent player programs
CA2642642A1 (en) * 2006-02-16 2007-08-30 Oneida Indian Nation Integrated gaming and services system and method
US7901294B2 (en) * 2006-02-24 2011-03-08 Igt Method and apparatus for enabling a player to simultaneously control game play on multiple gaming devices
US9039534B2 (en) * 2006-02-24 2015-05-26 Igt Method and apparatus for enabling a player to simultaneously control game play on multiple gaming devices
US7780520B2 (en) 2006-03-15 2010-08-24 Igt Gaming device having multiple different types of progressive awards
US7803043B2 (en) 2006-04-03 2010-09-28 Igt Draw vs. stud 3-card casino poker game
US7967682B2 (en) 2006-04-12 2011-06-28 Bally Gaming, Inc. Wireless gaming environment
US7644861B2 (en) 2006-04-18 2010-01-12 Bgc Partners, Inc. Systems and methods for providing access to wireless gaming devices
US7549576B2 (en) 2006-05-05 2009-06-23 Cfph, L.L.C. Systems and methods for providing access to wireless gaming devices
CN101472651B (en) * 2006-04-25 2012-05-30 盖姆劳吉克公司 Method for conducting a game of chance
US8939359B2 (en) 2006-05-05 2015-01-27 Cfph, Llc Game access device with time varying signal
US8100753B2 (en) 2006-05-23 2012-01-24 Bally Gaming, Inc. Systems, methods and articles to facilitate playing card games with selectable odds
US7794318B2 (en) * 2006-06-06 2010-09-14 Multimedia Games, Inc. User alterable prize distribution and system for identifying results in games
US8052519B2 (en) 2006-06-08 2011-11-08 Bally Gaming, Inc. Systems, methods and articles to facilitate lockout of selectable odds/advantage in playing card games
US7677971B2 (en) 2006-06-09 2010-03-16 Igt Gaming system and method for enabling a player to select progressive awards to try for and chances of winning progressive awards
US7857693B1 (en) 2006-06-20 2010-12-28 Igt Multi-spin poker gaming system with predetermined game outcomes
US8070574B2 (en) 2007-06-06 2011-12-06 Shuffle Master, Inc. Apparatus, system, method, and computer-readable medium for casino card handling with multiple hand recall feature
US20080009333A1 (en) * 2006-07-06 2008-01-10 Walker Jay S Method and apparatus for enabling a player to simultaneously control game play on multiple gaming devices
US20080026823A1 (en) * 2006-07-10 2008-01-31 Igt Reusable cashless instruments for gaming machines and systems
US7901282B2 (en) 2006-07-14 2011-03-08 Igt Gaming device having competitive/bonus matching game
US20080026810A1 (en) * 2006-07-31 2008-01-31 Walker Jay S Premiums for early redemption of lottery entries
US8696433B2 (en) * 2006-08-01 2014-04-15 Scientific Games Holdings Limited Method for playing multi-level games of chance
US8070597B2 (en) 2006-08-03 2011-12-06 Igt Gaming device and method having multiple progressive award levels and a secondary game for advancing through the progressive award levels
US8012014B2 (en) 2006-08-22 2011-09-06 Igt Gaming system having awards provided based on rate of play
US8226474B2 (en) 2006-09-08 2012-07-24 Igt Mobile gaming devices for use in a gaming network having gaming and non-gaming zones
US8328635B2 (en) 2006-09-13 2012-12-11 Igt System and method for rewarding players based on personal interests or attributes
US8523665B2 (en) 2006-10-11 2013-09-03 Igt Gaming system and method having multi-level mystery triggered progressive awards
US8292741B2 (en) 2006-10-26 2012-10-23 Cfph, Llc Apparatus, processes and articles for facilitating mobile gaming
US9306952B2 (en) 2006-10-26 2016-04-05 Cfph, Llc System and method for wireless gaming with location determination
US20080108430A1 (en) 2006-11-08 2008-05-08 Igt Gaming system and method which provides players an opportunity to win a progressive award
US7963845B2 (en) 2006-11-08 2011-06-21 Igt Gaming system and method with multiple progressive award levels and a skill based determination of providing one of the progressive award levels
US9047733B2 (en) 2006-11-08 2015-06-02 Igt Gaming system and method for providing multiple level progressive awards with increased odds of winning higher level progressive awards
WO2008058279A2 (en) 2006-11-09 2008-05-15 Wms Gaming, Inc. Wagering game account management system
US9101820B2 (en) 2006-11-09 2015-08-11 Bally Gaming, Inc. System, method and apparatus to produce decks for and operate games played with playing cards
US8478833B2 (en) * 2006-11-10 2013-07-02 Bally Gaming, Inc. UDP broadcast for user interface in a download and configuration gaming system
US8191121B2 (en) 2006-11-10 2012-05-29 Bally Gaming, Inc. Methods and systems for controlling access to resources in a gaming network
US8784212B2 (en) 2006-11-10 2014-07-22 Bally Gaming, Inc. Networked gaming environment employing different classes of gaming machines
US9111078B2 (en) 2006-11-10 2015-08-18 Bally Gaming, Inc. Package manager service in gaming system
US8105149B2 (en) 2006-11-10 2012-01-31 Igt Gaming system and method providing venue wide simultaneous player participation based bonus game
US8920233B2 (en) 2006-11-10 2014-12-30 Bally Gaming, Inc. Assignment template and assignment bundle in a gaming configuration and download system
US8631501B2 (en) 2006-11-10 2014-01-14 Bally Gaming, Inc. Reporting function in gaming system environment
US9508218B2 (en) 2006-11-10 2016-11-29 Bally Gaming, Inc. Gaming system download network architecture
US8195825B2 (en) * 2006-11-10 2012-06-05 Bally Gaming, Inc. UDP broadcast for user interface in a download and configuration gaming method
US8347280B2 (en) 2006-11-13 2013-01-01 Bally Gaming, Inc. System and method for validating download or configuration assignment for an EGM or EGM collection
US9082258B2 (en) 2006-11-13 2015-07-14 Bally Gaming, Inc. Method and system for providing download and configuration job progress tracking and display via host user interface
US8131829B2 (en) 2006-11-13 2012-03-06 Bally Gaming, Inc. Gaming machine collection and management
US8930461B2 (en) 2006-11-13 2015-01-06 Bally Gaming, Inc. Download and configuration management engine for gaming system
US8510567B2 (en) 2006-11-14 2013-08-13 Cfph, Llc Conditional biometric access in a gaming environment
US9411944B2 (en) 2006-11-15 2016-08-09 Cfph, Llc Biometric access sensitivity
US8645709B2 (en) 2006-11-14 2014-02-04 Cfph, Llc Biometric access data encryption
KR101397567B1 (en) * 2007-01-24 2014-05-22 가부시키가이샤 한도오따이 에네루기 켄큐쇼 Method of crystallizing semiconductor film and method of manufacturing semiconductor device
US8147321B2 (en) * 2007-02-09 2012-04-03 Rite-Solutions, Inc. Method and apparatus for electronic random prize distribution with fixed prize inventory and unknown participant count
AU2008219423B2 (en) * 2007-02-26 2013-04-11 Intralot S.A Method for displaying a draw result along with customized information
US8319601B2 (en) 2007-03-14 2012-11-27 Cfph, Llc Game account access device
US8581721B2 (en) 2007-03-08 2013-11-12 Cfph, Llc Game access device with privileges
US9183693B2 (en) 2007-03-08 2015-11-10 Cfph, Llc Game access device
US8500537B2 (en) * 2007-05-17 2013-08-06 Walker Digital, Llc Group play of a lottery game
US8147322B2 (en) 2007-06-12 2012-04-03 Walker Digital, Llc Multiplayer gaming device and methods
US8152624B2 (en) * 2007-09-12 2012-04-10 Igt Gaming device and method providing a plurality of plays of a background game resulting in a single award for the player
US20090075714A1 (en) 2007-09-18 2009-03-19 Igt Multi-card bingo patterns and wild balls
US8096874B2 (en) 2007-09-27 2012-01-17 Igt Gaming system and method having progressive awards with meter increase events
US8070587B2 (en) 2007-10-26 2011-12-06 Igt Gaming system and method providing a multiplayer bonus game having a plurality of award opportunities
US8197337B2 (en) 2007-10-29 2012-06-12 Igt Gaming system and method for providing multi-level personal progressive awards
US8734245B2 (en) 2007-11-02 2014-05-27 Bally Gaming, Inc. Game related systems, methods, and articles that combine virtual and physical elements
US8616958B2 (en) 2007-11-12 2013-12-31 Bally Gaming, Inc. Discovery method and system for dynamically locating networked gaming components and resources
US8201229B2 (en) 2007-11-12 2012-06-12 Bally Gaming, Inc. User authorization system and methods
US8187087B2 (en) 2007-12-26 2012-05-29 Scientific Games Holdings Limited System and method for collecting and using player information
US8142269B2 (en) * 2008-03-13 2012-03-27 Universal Entertainment Corporation Gaming machine for racing game and playing method thereof
US8821254B2 (en) * 2008-03-24 2014-09-02 Universal Entertainment Corporation Gaming machine having effect corresponding to award to be provided for special game and playing method thereof
US8308562B2 (en) 2008-04-29 2012-11-13 Bally Gaming, Inc. Biofeedback for a gaming device, such as an electronic gaming machine (EGM)
US8721431B2 (en) 2008-04-30 2014-05-13 Bally Gaming, Inc. Systems, methods, and devices for providing instances of a secondary game
US8613655B2 (en) 2008-04-30 2013-12-24 Bally Gaming, Inc. Facilitating group play with multiple game devices
US9005034B2 (en) 2008-04-30 2015-04-14 Bally Gaming, Inc. Systems and methods for out-of-band gaming machine management
US9483911B2 (en) 2008-04-30 2016-11-01 Bally Gaming, Inc. Information distribution in gaming networks
US20090275407A1 (en) * 2008-04-30 2009-11-05 Bally Gaming, Inc. Virtualization for gaming devices
US8856657B2 (en) 2008-04-30 2014-10-07 Bally Gaming, Inc. User interface for managing network download and configuration tasks
US9092944B2 (en) 2008-04-30 2015-07-28 Bally Gaming, Inc. Coordinating group play events for multiple game devices
WO2009137633A1 (en) 2008-05-07 2009-11-12 Wms Gaming, Inc. Managing limitation rules for wagering accounts
WO2009151919A2 (en) 2008-05-24 2009-12-17 Bally Gaming, Inc. Networked gaming system with enterprise accounting methods and apparatus
US9443377B2 (en) 2008-05-30 2016-09-13 Bally Gaming, Inc. Web pages for gaming devices
US9928680B2 (en) 2008-07-08 2018-03-27 Cfph, Llc Gaming statistics
WO2010006187A2 (en) 2008-07-11 2010-01-14 Bally Gaming, Inc. Integration gateway
US8083583B2 (en) 2008-08-04 2011-12-27 Scientific Games International, Inc. Method and system for managing probability of an outcome in a random generation event
US8795058B2 (en) 2008-10-01 2014-08-05 Igt Gaming system and method having player accumulated points and determining each player's chances of winning an award based on the accumulated points
US9761082B2 (en) * 2008-10-17 2017-09-12 Cfph, Llc Card selection
US9320966B2 (en) 2008-10-16 2016-04-26 Cfph, Llc Card selection and display and restoration
US8092288B2 (en) * 2008-10-31 2012-01-10 International Business Machines Corporation Managing multi-player video game input
US8167710B2 (en) 2008-11-05 2012-05-01 Wms Gaming, Inc. Controlling and configuring responsible gaming data
US8376836B2 (en) 2008-11-07 2013-02-19 Igt Server based gaming system and method for providing deferral of bonus events
US8128478B2 (en) 2008-11-10 2012-03-06 Igt Gaming system, gaming device, and method for providing a game having a first evaluation based on drawn symbols and a second evaluation based on an order in which the symbols are drawn
US8172665B2 (en) * 2008-11-12 2012-05-08 Igt Gaming system enabling a symbol driven win evaluation method
US8226467B2 (en) 2008-11-12 2012-07-24 Igt Gaming system and method enabling player participation in selection of seed for random number generator
US8308549B2 (en) * 2008-11-14 2012-11-13 Igt Gaming system and method for adjusting the average expected payback associated with a play of a wagering game
US20100124970A1 (en) * 2008-11-14 2010-05-20 Igt Gaming system, gaming device, and method for providing a guaranteed win feature
US8266213B2 (en) 2008-11-14 2012-09-11 Bally Gaming, Inc. Apparatus, method, and system to provide a multiple processor architecture for server-based gaming
US8347303B2 (en) 2008-11-14 2013-01-01 Bally Gaming, Inc. Apparatus, method, and system to provide a multi-core processor for an electronic gaming machine (EGM)
US8423790B2 (en) 2008-11-18 2013-04-16 Bally Gaming, Inc. Module validation
US8821238B2 (en) * 2008-11-25 2014-09-02 Disney Enterprises, Inc. System and method for personalized location-based game system including optical pattern recognition
WO2010068905A1 (en) * 2008-12-12 2010-06-17 Herrmann Mark E Method and apparatus for off property prize pooling
US20100160017A1 (en) * 2008-12-23 2010-06-24 Chris Canard System and method for revealing a primary game prize via secondary game play
US8192283B2 (en) 2009-03-10 2012-06-05 Bally Gaming, Inc. Networked gaming system including a live floor view module
US9569932B2 (en) 2009-07-02 2017-02-14 Igt Central determination gaming system and method for providing a persistence game with predetermined game outcomes
US8500538B2 (en) * 2009-07-30 2013-08-06 Igt Bingo gaming system and method for providing multiple outcomes from single bingo pattern
US20110034231A1 (en) * 2009-08-06 2011-02-10 Diamond Game Enterprises, Inc. Network of skill-based electronic game machines that dispense tickets from a plurality of player-selectable deals
US8092299B2 (en) 2009-11-05 2012-01-10 Igt Gaming system and method for normalizing average expected payouts to players
US8932129B2 (en) 2010-03-12 2015-01-13 Igt Multi-play central determination system
US8956231B2 (en) 2010-08-13 2015-02-17 Cfph, Llc Multi-process communication regarding gaming information
US8974302B2 (en) 2010-08-13 2015-03-10 Cfph, Llc Multi-process communication regarding gaming information
GB2485531A (en) 2010-11-11 2012-05-23 Games Warehouse Gaming terminal for playing an off-line tournament
US9058716B2 (en) 2011-06-06 2015-06-16 Bally Gaming, Inc. Remote game play in a wireless gaming environment
US8357041B1 (en) 2011-07-21 2013-01-22 Igt Gaming system and method for providing a multi-dimensional cascading symbols game with player selection of symbols
US8430737B2 (en) 2011-07-21 2013-04-30 Igt Gaming system and method providing multi-dimensional symbol wagering game
US8485901B2 (en) 2011-07-21 2013-07-16 Igt Gaming system and method for providing a multi-dimensional symbol wagering game with rotating symbols
US8834254B2 (en) 2011-09-06 2014-09-16 Wms Gaming, Inc. Account-based-wagering mobile controller
US8512120B2 (en) 2011-09-21 2013-08-20 Igt Gaming system, gaming device, and method providing multiple simultaneously playable wagering games with individual credit balances
US8545312B2 (en) 2011-09-22 2013-10-01 Igt Gaming system, gaming device, and method changing awards available to be won in pending plays of a game based on a quantity of concurrently pending plays of the game
US8540567B2 (en) 2011-09-28 2013-09-24 Igt Gaming system, gaming device and method for moderating remote host initiated features for multiple concurrently played games
US8672750B2 (en) 2011-09-28 2014-03-18 Igt Gaming system, gaming device and method for reporting for multiple concurrently played games
US9293000B2 (en) 2011-09-28 2016-03-22 Igt Gaming system, gaming device and method for moderating remote host initiated features for multiple concurrently played games
US8968073B2 (en) 2011-09-28 2015-03-03 Igt Gaming system and method providing a server that determines reel sets for subsequent game plays
US8827798B2 (en) 2011-09-28 2014-09-09 Igt Gaming system and method providing a user device that receives and stores reel sets for subsequent game plays
US8668574B2 (en) 2011-09-28 2014-03-11 Igt Gaming system and method providing a user device that receives and stores a reel set for an initial game play and reel sets for subsequent game plays
US8591314B2 (en) 2011-09-28 2013-11-26 Igt Gaming system and method providing a server that determines a reel set for an initial game play and reel sets for subsequent game plays
US9120007B2 (en) 2012-01-18 2015-09-01 Bally Gaming, Inc. Network gaming architecture, gaming systems, and related methods
US8974305B2 (en) 2012-01-18 2015-03-10 Bally Gaming, Inc. Network gaming architecture, gaming systems, and related methods
US9342956B2 (en) 2012-02-24 2016-05-17 Igt Gaming system, gaming device and method for shifting progressive award contribution rates
US9626839B2 (en) 2012-03-16 2017-04-18 Igt Gaming system and method providing an additional award opportunity when a designated quantity of displayed symbols is associated with a displayed background
US9165428B2 (en) 2012-04-15 2015-10-20 Bally Gaming, Inc. Interactive financial transactions
US9524615B2 (en) 2012-05-17 2016-12-20 Igt Gaming systems and method providing game with multidirectional spinning symbol displays
US8784180B2 (en) * 2012-05-31 2014-07-22 Scientific Games International, Inc. System and method for play of a network-based lottery game
US8708804B2 (en) 2012-06-22 2014-04-29 Igt Gaming system and method providing a collection game including at least one customizable award collector
US9472063B2 (en) 2012-09-25 2016-10-18 Igt Gaming system and method for providing a multiple sided card game
US9039512B2 (en) 2012-09-27 2015-05-26 Igt Gaming system and method for providing a game which populates symbols along a path
US9552690B2 (en) 2013-03-06 2017-01-24 Igt System and method for determining the volatility of a game based on one or more external data feeds
US9098847B2 (en) 2013-03-08 2015-08-04 Igt Gaming system and method for providing a game including roaming wild symbols
US9098973B2 (en) 2013-03-08 2015-08-04 Igt Gaming system and method for providing a game including roaming wild symbols
US8870642B2 (en) 2013-03-14 2014-10-28 Igt Gaming system and method providing a multiplay slot game including a cascading symbols feature in which symbols are removed from corresponding symbol display areas of different sets of symbol display areas
US20170024962A1 (en) * 2013-07-09 2017-01-26 Tapcentive, Inc. Secure distributed gambling
US9208648B2 (en) 2013-09-12 2015-12-08 Igt Gaming system and method for triggering a random secondary game in association with multiple concurrently played primary games
US9600971B2 (en) 2013-10-31 2017-03-21 Interblock D.D. Second player electronic wagering system
US9501900B2 (en) 2014-01-31 2016-11-22 JKT Gaming, Inc. Gaming system and method combining RNG-based machines and hybrid finite pool-based machines
US9098968B1 (en) 2014-02-12 2015-08-04 Igt Gaming system and method for accumulating and redeeming community game tokens
US9875618B2 (en) 2014-07-24 2018-01-23 Igt Gaming system and method employing multi-directional interaction between multiple concurrently played games
US9728046B2 (en) * 2014-07-30 2017-08-08 Planet Bingo Inc. Systems and methods for providing electronic gaming pieces
JP2016064076A (en) * 2014-09-25 2016-04-28 株式会社ユニバーサルエンターテインメント Gaming machine
US10706689B2 (en) 2014-09-26 2020-07-07 Igt Gaming system and method employing multiple symbol generators utilized for multiple concurrently played games
USD780201S1 (en) 2014-09-26 2017-02-28 Igt Gaming system display with graphical user interface
US9754454B2 (en) 2014-11-13 2017-09-05 MLA Group, LLC Method and system for lottery application
US10255761B2 (en) 2015-03-17 2019-04-09 Igt Gaming system and method for converting primary game outcomes to secondary game outcomes
US9916735B2 (en) 2015-07-22 2018-03-13 Igt Remote gaming cash voucher printing system
US10713895B2 (en) 2015-09-28 2020-07-14 Interblock D.D. Demonstration mode in skill-based gaming technology
US10249144B2 (en) * 2016-02-05 2019-04-02 Hydra Management Llc Generation of game outcomes and a single validation file that includes the game outcomes for a plurality of instant ticket sub games having different prize levels
US10297110B2 (en) 2016-06-29 2019-05-21 Igt Gaming system and method for providing a central determination of game outcomes and progressive awards
US10614669B2 (en) 2018-08-22 2020-04-07 Igt Central determination gaming system with incrementing awards
US20200074805A1 (en) 2018-08-28 2020-03-05 Igt Central determination gaming system with limited term persistent elements

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4467424A (en) * 1979-12-17 1984-08-21 Hedges Richard A Remote gaming system
EP0405776A2 (en) * 1989-06-09 1991-01-02 Interactive Network, Inc. Remote gaming system playable by several participants
WO1991006160A1 (en) * 1989-10-19 1991-05-02 Rhoades Donald E Telephone access video game distribution center

Family Cites Families (26)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3395463A (en) * 1966-04-21 1968-08-06 Donald G Worden Chess machine
US3671041A (en) * 1970-01-30 1972-06-20 Floyd R Taylor Electrically operated bingo game apparatus
US3671040A (en) * 1970-12-03 1972-06-20 Marvin Glass & Associates Surface rebounding apparatus including ball, racket, and rebound surface
GB1512857A (en) * 1974-09-13 1978-06-01 Bally Mfg Corp Monitoring system for use with amusement game devices
DE2656024C2 (en) * 1976-12-10 1983-01-13 Winkel, Benno E., 3119 Jelmstorf Locating device for the ball of a roulette machine
US4221571A (en) * 1978-11-13 1980-09-09 Don Rhoades Solar heated anaerobic digestor
US4305131A (en) * 1979-02-05 1981-12-08 Best Robert M Dialog between TV movies and human viewers
US4365810A (en) * 1979-09-28 1982-12-28 Selectro-Vision, Ltd. Gaming board
US4283709A (en) * 1980-01-29 1981-08-11 Summit Systems, Inc. (Interscience Systems) Cash accounting and surveillance system for games
US4332389A (en) * 1980-06-23 1982-06-01 Comer C. Loyd, Jr. Electronic bingo game
US4378940B2 (en) * 1980-12-11 2000-05-23 Bingo Technologies Corp Electronic device for playing bingo lotto and allied card games
US4494197A (en) * 1980-12-11 1985-01-15 Seymour Troy Automatic lottery system
US4689742A (en) * 1980-12-11 1987-08-25 Seymour Troy Automatic lottery system
US4517656A (en) * 1981-05-11 1985-05-14 Texas Instruments Incorporated Programmable game with virtual CPU's sharing ALU and memory for simultaneous execution of independent game inputs
US4455025A (en) * 1981-08-11 1984-06-19 Yuri Itkis Electronic card and board game
JPS5997686A (en) * 1982-11-29 1984-06-05 シグマ商事株式会社 Control apparatus of game machine
ES531967A0 (en) * 1983-05-02 1985-09-16 Ainsworth Nominees Pty Ltd IMPROVEMENTS IN GAME MACHINE SYSTEMS
GB2148135A (en) * 1983-09-14 1985-05-30 Igt Reno Nev Electronic video lottery system
GB2147773A (en) * 1983-09-14 1985-05-15 Igt Reno Nev Lottery game terminal
US4652998A (en) * 1984-01-04 1987-03-24 Bally Manufacturing Corporation Video gaming system with pool prize structures
US4837728A (en) * 1984-01-25 1989-06-06 Igt Multiple progressive gaming system that freezes payouts at start of game
US4634845A (en) * 1984-12-24 1987-01-06 Ncr Corporation Portable personal terminal for use in a system for handling transactions
EP0214290B1 (en) * 1985-03-08 1990-06-13 Sigma Enterprises, Incorporated Slot machine
US5007649A (en) * 1986-01-16 1991-04-16 Selectro-Vision, Ltd. Gaming system with system base station and gaming boards
US4856787B1 (en) * 1986-02-05 1997-09-23 Fortunet Inc Concurrent game network
US5042809A (en) * 1990-11-20 1991-08-27 Richardson Joseph J Computerized gaming device

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4467424A (en) * 1979-12-17 1984-08-21 Hedges Richard A Remote gaming system
EP0405776A2 (en) * 1989-06-09 1991-01-02 Interactive Network, Inc. Remote gaming system playable by several participants
WO1991006160A1 (en) * 1989-10-19 1991-05-02 Rhoades Donald E Telephone access video game distribution center

Cited By (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US7179168B1 (en) 1995-06-30 2007-02-20 Walker Digital, Llc Systems and methods for allocating an outcome amount among a total number of events
US7867076B2 (en) 1995-06-30 2011-01-11 Walker Digital, Llc Systems and methods for allocating an outcome amount among a total number of events
US7874906B2 (en) 1995-06-30 2011-01-25 Walker Digital, Llc Systems and methods for allocating an outcome amount among a total number of events
US7878894B2 (en) 1995-06-30 2011-02-01 Walker Digital, Llc Systems and methods for allocating an outcome amount among a total number of events
US6719631B1 (en) 2000-03-16 2004-04-13 Walker Digital, Llc Systems and methods for determining a gaming system event parameter based on a player-established event parameter
US7452270B2 (en) 2000-06-29 2008-11-18 Walker Digital, Llc Systems and methods for presenting an outcome amount via a total number of events
US6773345B2 (en) * 2000-08-25 2004-08-10 Walker Digital, Llc Systems and methods for lottery game play aggregation
US7727063B2 (en) 2000-08-25 2010-06-01 Walker Digital, Llc Methods and apparatus for lottery game play aggregation
US8348743B2 (en) 2000-08-25 2013-01-08 Walker Digital, Llc Methods and apparatus for lottery game play aggregation
EP1365367A2 (en) * 2002-05-20 2003-11-26 Barcrest Development B.V. Entertainment machines
EP1365367A3 (en) * 2002-05-20 2004-08-11 Barcrest Development B.V. Entertainment machines

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
ES2166130T3 (en) 2002-04-01
EP0627949A1 (en) 1994-12-14
DE69330843D1 (en) 2001-10-31
DK0627949T3 (en) 2000-03-06
GR3031666T3 (en) 2000-02-29
EP0907136B1 (en) 2001-09-26
US5324035A (en) 1994-06-28
WO1994012256A1 (en) 1994-06-09
DE69325898D1 (en) 1999-09-09
DE69325898T2 (en) 2000-03-30
EP0627949A4 (en) 1995-07-26
ATE206227T1 (en) 2001-10-15
CA2128715C (en) 1999-03-23
AU5733394A (en) 1994-06-22
ATE182804T1 (en) 1999-08-15
CA2128715A1 (en) 1994-06-09
EP0627949B1 (en) 1999-08-04
DE69330843T2 (en) 2002-06-13
ES2136187T3 (en) 1999-11-16

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
EP0627949B1 (en) Video gaming system with fixed pool of winning plays and global pool access
US6595853B1 (en) Game machine for playing a self-contained game in a first mode or, in a second mode participating as a terminal, in a game conducted by a remote game machine
US9508226B2 (en) Method and apparatus for bonus round play
US6743102B1 (en) Interactive electronic game system
US8147314B2 (en) Method, apparatus, and program product for presenting results in a bingo-type game
US8167706B2 (en) Bingo gaming system with player selected daub modes
US8678920B2 (en) Interactive computer gaming system with audio response
US5917725A (en) Tournament data system
US8591309B2 (en) System and method for constraining bingo card faces to limit liability of number of random drawn winners
WO1989006405A1 (en) Games machine

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

AC Divisional application: reference to earlier application

Ref document number: 627949

Country of ref document: EP

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AT BE CH DE DK ES FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE

RIN1 Information on inventor provided before grant (corrected)

Inventor name: DIETZ, MICHAEL J.

Inventor name: MILLER, ROLEN A.

Inventor name: MORRIS, EARL D.

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 19990526

17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 19990805

GRAG Despatch of communication of intention to grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS AGRA

GRAG Despatch of communication of intention to grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS AGRA

GRAH Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS IGRA

GRAH Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS IGRA

GRAA (expected) grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

AC Divisional application: reference to earlier application

Ref document number: 627949

Country of ref document: EP

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: B1

Designated state(s): AT BE CH DE DK ES FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: NL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20010926

Ref country code: IT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT;WARNING: LAPSES OF ITALIAN PATENTS WITH EFFECTIVE DATE BEFORE 2007 MAY HAVE OCCURRED AT ANY TIME BEFORE 2007. THE CORRECT EFFECTIVE DATE MAY BE DIFFERENT FROM THE ONE RECORDED.

Effective date: 20010926

REF Corresponds to:

Ref document number: 206227

Country of ref document: AT

Date of ref document: 20011015

Kind code of ref document: T

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: EP

REF Corresponds to:

Ref document number: 69330843

Country of ref document: DE

Date of ref document: 20011031

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: IE

Ref legal event code: FG4D

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: MC

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20011130

Ref country code: LU

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20011130

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: PT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20011226

Ref country code: DK

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20011226

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20011228

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: IF02

ET Fr: translation filed
NLV1 Nl: lapsed or annulled due to failure to fulfill the requirements of art. 29p and 29m of the patents act
REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: NV

Representative=s name: KIRKER & CIE SA

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: ES

Ref legal event code: FG2A

Ref document number: 2166130

Country of ref document: ES

Kind code of ref document: T3

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: PUE

Owner name: OASIS TECHNOLOGIES, INC. TRANSFER- INTERNATIONAL G

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: 732E

PLBE No opposition filed within time limit

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT

26N No opposition filed
REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: TP

BECA Be: change of holder's address

Free format text: 20020625 INTERNATIONAL *GAMBO INC.:9335 NORTH 48TH STREET, OMAHA, NE 68152

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IE

Payment date: 20121126

Year of fee payment: 20

Ref country code: CH

Payment date: 20121126

Year of fee payment: 20

Ref country code: DE

Payment date: 20121128

Year of fee payment: 20

Ref country code: FR

Payment date: 20121206

Year of fee payment: 20

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: ES

Payment date: 20121126

Year of fee payment: 20

Ref country code: SE

Payment date: 20121126

Year of fee payment: 20

Ref country code: BE

Payment date: 20121129

Year of fee payment: 20

Ref country code: GB

Payment date: 20121126

Year of fee payment: 20

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: AT

Payment date: 20121102

Year of fee payment: 20

BE20 Be: patent expired

Owner name: INTERNATIONAL *GAMBO INC.

Effective date: 20131130

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R071

Ref document number: 69330843

Country of ref document: DE

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: PL

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: PE20

Expiry date: 20131129

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: IE

Ref legal event code: MK9A

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: AT

Ref legal event code: MK07

Ref document number: 206227

Country of ref document: AT

Kind code of ref document: T

Effective date: 20131130

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF EXPIRATION OF PROTECTION

Effective date: 20131203

Ref country code: GB

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF EXPIRATION OF PROTECTION

Effective date: 20131129

Ref country code: IE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF EXPIRATION OF PROTECTION

Effective date: 20131130

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: SE

Ref legal event code: EUG

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: ES

Ref legal event code: FD2A

Effective date: 20140925

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: ES

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF EXPIRATION OF PROTECTION

Effective date: 20131201